Biomechanics and motor-control of fundamental skills in gymnastics.

Mgr. Pavel BRTVA

Doctoral thesis

Abstract:

In gymnastics, the cartwheel (CW), round-off (RO), and round-off followed by back handspring (RO-BH) are one of the earliest fundamental skills learned during the training process. There are three different techniques that are used to execute these RO skills. It was found that change in technique results in different responses to a biomechanical load of upper-limb joints. However, there is a lack of information regarding performance outcome. Moreover, it would be useful to explain the mechanism resulting in successful and safe skill execution. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to increase knowledge about the biomechanics and motor control of upper-limb joints during this fundamental gymnastics' skill using a novel approach of 3P Performance / Injury skill profile in order to better understand the process of technique selection. This analysis will bring new empirical information that may assist in selecting the appropriate skill technique and make coaching and training more effective, efficient, and safe. To fill the thesis purpose, three main studies with specific aims were realized. Study 1 aimed to investigate if changes in elbow and wrist joint loading and biomechanical characteristics of performance existed as a function of different hand placement and fundamental skills development in female gymnastics. Ten female gymnasts performed 54 successful trials of RO skills (CW [18], RO [18], RO-BH [18]), with three different hand positions ('Parallel', 'T-shape' and 'Reverse'). The findings of the current study showed that an increase in RO skill difficulty level significantly influences the mechanical load on the upper extremities. With the decrease in mechanical load on the upper extremities this study suggests that the 'T-shape' hand position should be used as the primary technique for the young female. Differences in vertical velocity from touchdown to take-off between the three hand positions for the RO and RO-BH suggested that the 'Reverse' position was less effective for young female gymnasts. Study 2 aimed to increase understanding of the biomechanics and dynamics of the upper limbs during the contact phase of the round-off (RO) performed using three techniques. Twenty female gymnasts performed 6 successful RO trials in each condition; 'Parallel', 'T-shape', and 'Reverse'. Continuous joint profiles examined the dynamics of these tasks as well as the kinetic sequencing. In each case, joint angles, angular velocity, moments, and powers at the wrist and elbow joint were reported. The 'T-shape' technique demonstrated negative power at the wrist during contact; however, the elbow joint compensated with a significantly greater positive power generation during the propulsive phase suggesting a more effective technique compared to the reduced powers of the 'Reverse' and 'Parallel'. The order of the peak joint powers during the contact phase, the 'Reverse' technique demonstrated a proximal to distal sequence, in contrast to the distal to proximal for the other techniques. Study 3 aimed to integrate the analysis of the elbow joint loading kinetics with the coordination and coordination variability across three RO techniques ('Parallel', 'Reverse', and 'T-shape'). Twelve young female gymnasts performed 6 RO trials in each technique. Results indicated that the combination of anti-phase coordination and lower coordination variability using the 'Reverse' technique may explain the mechanism which leads to increased elbow adduction moment and could result in overuse elbow injury. Finally, the interaction between these results based on 3P Performance / Injury profile creates a Model of Technique selection for RO skill. The 'T-shape' technique seems to be the best option in terms of increasing performance and decreasing injury risk potential and should be considered as a primary in female gymnastics.

Abstract:

In gymnastics, the cartwheel (CW), round-off (RO), and round-off followed by back handspring (RO-BH) are one of the earliest fundamental skills learned during the training process. There are three different techniques that are used to execute these RO skills. It was found that change in technique results in different responses to a biomechanical load of upper-limb joints. However, there is a lack of information regarding performance outcome. Moreover, it would be useful to explain the mechanism resulting in successful and safe skill execution. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to increase knowledge about the biomechanics and motor control of upper-limb joints during this fundamental gymnastics' skill using a novel approach of 3P Performance / Injury skill profile in order to better understand the process of technique selection. This analysis will bring new empirical information that may assist in selecting the appropriate skill technique and make coaching and training more effective, efficient, and safe. To fill the thesis purpose, three main studies with specific aims were realized. Study 1 aimed to investigate if changes in elbow and wrist joint loading and biomechanical characteristics of performance existed as a function of different hand placement and fundamental skills development in female gymnastics. Ten female gymnasts performed 54 successful trials of RO skills (CW [18], RO [18], RO-BH [18]), with three different hand positions ('Parallel', 'T-shape' and 'Reverse'). The findings of the current study showed that an increase in RO skill difficulty level significantly influences the mechanical load on the upper extremities. With the decrease in mechanical load on the upper extremities this study suggests that the 'T-shape' hand position should be used as the primary technique for the young female. Differences in vertical velocity from touchdown to take-off between the three hand positions for the RO and RO-BH suggested that the 'Reverse' position was less effective for young female gymnasts. Study 2 aimed to increase understanding of the biomechanics and dynamics of the upper limbs during the contact phase of the round-off (RO) performed using three techniques. Twenty female gymnasts performed 6 successful RO trials in each condition; 'Parallel', 'T-shape', and 'Reverse'. Continuous joint profiles examined the dynamics of these tasks as well as the kinetic sequencing. In each case, joint angles, angular velocity, moments, and powers at the wrist and elbow joint were reported. The 'T-shape' technique demonstrated negative power at the wrist during contact; however, the elbow joint compensated with a significantly greater positive power generation during the propulsive phase suggesting a more effective technique compared to the reduced powers of the 'Reverse' and 'Parallel'. The order of the peak joint powers during the contact phase, the 'Reverse' technique demonstrated a proximal to distal sequence, in contrast to the distal to proximal for the other techniques. Study 3 aimed to integrate the analysis of the elbow joint loading kinetics with the coordination and coordination variability across three RO techniques ('Parallel', 'Reverse', and 'T-shape'). Twelve young female gymnasts performed 6 RO trials in each technique. Results indicated that the combination of anti-phase coordination and lower coordination variability using the 'Reverse' technique may explain the mechanism which leads to increased elbow adduction moment and could result in overuse elbow injury. Finally, the interaction between these results based on 3P Performance / Injury profile creates a Model of Technique selection for RO skill. The 'T-shape' technique seems to be the best option in terms of increasing performance and decreasing injury risk potential and should be considered as a primary in female gymnastics.

Keywords

Gymnastics, fundamental skills, biomechanics, motor control, technique selection, injury prevention

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 6. 4. 2023

Accessible from:: 31. 12. 2999

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 2. 6. 2023
• Supervisor: doc. Mgr. Roman Farana, Ph.D., doc. Mgr. Roman Farana, Ph.D.

University of Ostrava

Pedagogical Faculty

Doctoral programme / field:
Kinanthropology / Kinanthropology