A biomechanical analysis of the longswing preceding tkachev and the kinematic variables at the point of release

Abstract

This study focused on examining the biomechanics of the Tkachev during the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. Building on previous research by Irwin et al. (2008) that compared the longswing preceding straddle, pike and full twisting Tkachev, which aimed to determine whether a Tkachev specific longswing existed in order to understand coaching implications and to use during future development of complex versions of the Tkachev. This study aimed to determine whether a biomechanical difference occurred during the longswing preceding Tkachev in the three different competition rounds during the women’s artistic gymnastics world championships. Video footage of the Team Qualifying, Team Final and Apparatus Final were recorded with permission by the Federation de Internationale (FIG) and a sample of 4 gymnasts competing in each round and completing 4 Tkachevs each were chosen as a sufficient sample for analysis. Videos were digitised and analysed using Direct Linear Transformation (3DLT) techniques. Discrete variables: take-off velocities, angle at release and continuous variables: vector angle and angular velocity profiles and angular momentum profiles were measured. Findings found that horizontal velocity decreased between Team Qualifying -1.727 (m.sˉ¹) and the Apparatus final -1.587 (m.sˉ¹), with vertical velocity showing an opposing relationship increasing from Team Qualifying 2.039 (m.sˉ¹) to Apparatus finals (2.238). A RMSD was performed on the angular momentum values about the mass centre at point of release. A difference of 22% was determined for trial 3 between competition rounds (TQ-AF). This is not as significant as the difference between the biomechanical characteristics of the inward and outward Tkachev technique (75%) (Irwin and Kerwin, 2008). However it does give coaches some implications when preparing gymnasts for competition.