The Changes in Mechanical Energy During the Giant Swing Backward on the Horizontal Bar

Abstract

In the giant swing backward, mechanical energy of the whole body is decreased due to friction between gymnast hands and the bar, and to air resistance. To complete the rotation, the gymnast has to do muscular work to offset these energy losses. Total mechanical energy changes with the relationship between energy loss and muscular work. Therefore, for biomechanical investigation of the giant swing backward, it is important to have an accurate measure of the mechanical energy changes of the whole body. Although there are many studies of energetics of the human fundamental movement such as walking and running, the mechanical energy changes of the whole body have not been reported during the giant swing backward on the horizontal bar. The purpose of this study is to report the mechanical energy changes of the whole body, and to identify the muscular work donc by the gymnast during the giant swing backward on the horizontal bar.