BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF GYMNASTIC BACK HANDSPRING

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The purpose of this study is to compare the kinematics and kinetics of back handspring of skilled and non-skilled performers. Eight gymnasts and eight cheerleaders participted in the study. A JVC 9800 DV camera (60 Hz) was synchronized by using a LED light with a Kistler force platform (600 Hz) to collect the data. The results indicated the peak vertical GRF before take-off for gymnasts and cheerleaders are 2.3 BW and 2.19 BW; and the peak horizontal GRF before take-off are 0.67 BW and 0.53 BW respectively; the gymnasts have greater jump height, take-off center of mass (CM) velocity, horizontal CM velocity at hand push off, hip angle at take-off and longer first phase flight time than the cheerleaders. It suggests that the greater jump height and longer flight time are required for good handspring performance.