Energy Transformation on Vault in Elite Artistic Gymnastics: Comparisons between Simple and Difficult Tsukahara and Yurchenko Vaults

Christoph Schärer,Micah Gross,Klaus Hübner,Silvio Lorenzetti

doi:10.3390/app11209484

Abstract

Performance on vault in artistic gymnastics depends on the difficulty and the execution quality of the performed vault. However, differences of kinetic energy between simple and difficult vaults remain elusive. Therefore, in this study, 48 Tsukahara and Yurchenko vaults, performed by 20 top-level gymnasts, were recorded with 3D-motion capture and the flux of translational (TKE), angular kinetic (AKE), potential (PE), and total energy were calculated and compared. Results revealed that upon initial springboard contact, almost all of the kinetic energy for Tsukahara vaults is comprised of TKE, whereas Yurchenko vaults were characterized by substantially less TKE, but far greater AKE (and similar PE). During springboard contact of Tsukahara vaults, AKE is increased (+70%) and thereafter mostly preserved during push off from the table (−6%). For Yurchenko vaults, AKE is preserved during springboard contact but reduced (−30%) in exchange for PE at push off. During the second flight phase of Yurchenko vaults, total energy was 10% higher than at initial springboard contact (Tsukahara: −1%). For vaults of increasing difficulty, 5.9% more AKE is needed for each additional 180° of longitudinal-axis rotation. This knowledge may help coaches evaluate athletes’ potential and focus training on appropriate physical and/or technical aspects of the vault performance.

Highlights

After push-off from the vault, total energy continued to increase by 9%, achieving a maximal value during the second flight phase within 1% of that at the initial springboard contact
We found significantly lower angular kinetic (AKE) for difficult Tsukahara and Yurchenko vaults compared to simple vaults
In contrast to Tsukahara vaults, total energy during the second flight phase of Yurchenko vaults is 10% higher than at initial springboard contact, indicating that an important increase in energy is generated between run-up and take-off during such vaults

Summary

Introduction

On vault in artistic gymnastics, the final score is calculated as the sum of the difficulty score (D-score) and the execution score (E-score) [1]. In addition to a clean execution, gymnasts must perform vaults of sufficient difficulty in order to attain a top ranking in competitions. Higher D-scores are mainly associated with changes in body position (tucked, piked, and layout) or an increased number of rotations around the longitudinal or transverse axis during the second flight phase [2]. These factors generally involve greater flight time and greater translational and/or rotational energy during the second flight phase

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