Asymmetry analysis of the arm segments during forward handspring on floor

View/ open
Author
Exell, Timothy
Robinson, Gemma
Irwin, Gareth
Date
2015-12-01Acceptance date
2015-11-12
Type
Article
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
ISSN
1746-1391
1536-7290 (ESSN)
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Asymmetry in gymnastics underpins successful performance and may also have implications as an injury mechanism; therefore, understanding of this concept could be useful for coaches and clinicians. The aim of this study was to examine kinematic and external kinetic asymmetry of the arm segments during the contact phase of a fundamental skill, the forward handspring on floor. Using a repeated single subject design six female National elite gymnasts (age: 19 ± 1.5 years, mass: 58.64 ± 3.72 kg, height: 1.62 ± 0.41 m), each performed 15 forward handsprings, synchronised 3D kinematic and kinetic data were collected. Asymmetry between the lead and non-lead side arms was quantified during each trial. Significant kinetic asymmetry was observed for all gymnasts (p < 0.005) with the direction of the asymmetry being related to the lead leg. All gymnasts displayed kinetic asymmetry for ground reaction force. Kinematic asymmetry was present for more gymnasts at the shoulder than the distal joints. These findings provide useful information for coaching gymnastics skills, which may subjectively appear to be symmetrical. The observed asymmetry has both performance and injury implications.
Journal/conference proceeding
European Journal of Sport Science;
Citation
Exell, T. A., Robinson, G. and Irwin, G. (2016). 'Asymmetry analysis of the arm segments during forward handspring on floor, European Journal of Sport Science' 16(5), pp.545-552.
Description
This article was published in European Journal of Sport Science on 01 December 2015 (online), available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2015.1115558
Sponsorship
Cardiff Metropolitan University (Grant ID: Cardiff Metropolian (Internal))
Collections
- Sport Research Groups [1127]
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, subject and abstract.
-
Asymmetry analysis of the arm segments during the forward handspring on vault
Gallagher, Liam (Cardiff Metropolitan University, 2013)Much of the current literature within the biomechanics and coaching of gymnastics assumes that gymnasts present symmetry of the upper body during skills such as the handspring vault, but the body of literature that suggests ... -
ASYMMETRY ANALYSIS OF THE ARM SEGMENTS DURING FORWARD HANDSPRING ON FLOOR
Godden, Stacey (University of Wales Institute Cardiff, 2012)Movement symmetry is assumed during handspring performance on floor and this belief forms an inherent part of coaching and judging recommendations. The aim of this study was to examine kinetic and kinematic asymmetry of ... -
ASYMMETRY ANALYSIS OF LOWER EXTREMITIES DURING DROPLANDINGS FROM TWO HEIGHTS
Emberton, Matthew (Cardiff Metropolitan University, 2014)The study aimed to investigate asymmetries in lower limb kinematics and kinetics from two separate heights. Symmetry is generally referred to as one limbs exact replication of the others movement. Extensive research into ...