A PILOT STUDY TO MEASURE FORCE DEVELOPMENT DURING A SIMULATED MALTESE CROSS FOR GYMNASTICS STILL RINGS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement procedure for the Maltese cross performed on still rings. Sixteen elite/international gymnasts participated. Two small force platforms (FPs) interfaced to a portable data logger (100 Hz sampling rate) were placed under the gymnasts’ hands in a simulated Maltese position (i.e., prone). Gymnasts attempted to rise a few centimeters to a Maltese position while vertical ground reaction forces were recorded bilaterally. Results indicated that the FPs had sufficient fidelity to differentiate gymnasts’ abilities to perform a Maltese. This method may serve to gauge the preparedness of male gymnasts performing this important skill.