Abstract
In order to perform difficult vaults in artistic gymnastics, athletes have to achieve high run-up speeds within the limited run-up distance (25m). However, the physical parameters that contribute to a high run-up speed and their age-related differences remain elusive. Hence, the aim of this study was 1) to investigate interrelations between difficulty value (D-score) and run-up kinematics of Handspring/Tsukahara and Yurchenko vaults as well as lower body power (25m-sprint, explosive and reactive strength) and 2) to explore age-related differences of these parameters across junior and elite gymnasts performing Handspring/Tsukahara vaults. For this purpose, the data (of the above mentioned parameters) of 47 top-level male elite and junior gymnasts aged 14.3 to 28.3 of performance testing, gathered over three years, were analysed. We found that D-score of Handspring/Tsukahara (n = 33) was strongly correlated with run-up speed (r = 0.79; p < 0.01). Further, 25m sprint speed (r = 0.85; p < 0.01) was significantly associated with run-up speed of Handspring/Tsukahara-vaults. There were no significant relationships with the D-score of Yurchenko (n = 14). Looking at the age-related differences of Handspring/Tsukahara, D-score increased significantly from junior to elite level (+11.6%; p < 0.01). The comparison between consecutive age-groups revealed that the U19 group had higher run-up speeds, step lengths, body weights and heights than the U17 group, while the U21 group achieved significantly higher speeds (run-up, 25m-sprint) and explosive strength than the U19 group. We concluded 1) that the optimization of important physical determinants may increase the potential to perform more difficult Handspring/Tsukahara vaults and 2) that first growth and maturation and later improvements of lower body power led to higher run-up speeds of Handspring/Tsukahara in the subsequent age-group. Therefore, based on performance testing of the lower limbs, training recommendations should be given specifically to the requirements of the competition vault.
Highlights
Artistic gymnastics has evolved rapidly since the introduction of the unlimited scoring system in 2006 [1]
Koperski, Kochanowicz [16] found that a take-off from the spring board is similar to a drop jump and Bradshaw and Le Rossignol [17] showed that an effective use of the strech-shorteningcycle during take-off from the vaulting board results in a better vaulting performance of 8 to 15 years old girls
There were no significant differences of lower body power between gymnasts performing Handspring and Tsukahara (Ha/Ts) and Yu, but significant differences between the run-up kinematics of these two different vault styles (Table 1)
Summary
Artistic gymnastics has evolved rapidly since the introduction of the unlimited scoring system in 2006 [1]. The vault run-up seems to be a highly standardized target-directed sprint [10], due to the limited run-up distance and the performance of a complex skill at the end of the run-up To this day it is unclear to what extent step kinematics during the run-up are important to attain a high run-up speed and to perform a difficult vault. The importance of lower body power (sprint speed, explosive strength, reactive strength) for the performance on vault is generally recognised as essential [14] but remains mostly unexplored. In this context, Tashiro, Takata [15] showed that 25m sprint speed, run-up speed and scores on vault are significantly correlated. Koperski, Kochanowicz [16] found that a take-off from the spring board is similar to a drop jump and Bradshaw and Le Rossignol [17] showed that an effective use of the strech-shorteningcycle during take-off from the vaulting board results in a better vaulting performance of 8 to 15 years old girls
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