OPTIMISATION OF THE FELGE TO HANDSTAND ON PARALLEL BARS

Abstract

The felge, or undersomersault, to handstand on parallel bars has become an important skill in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics as it forms the basis of many complex variations. To receive no deductions from the judges, the felge must be performed without demonstrating the use of strength to achieve the final handstand position. Two male gymnasts each performed nine trials of the felge from handstand to handstand while data were recorded using an automatic motion capture system. The highest and lowest scoring trials of each gymnast, as determined by four international judges, were chosen for further analysis. The technique used by each gymnast was optimised using a computer simulation model so that the final handstand position could be achieved with straight arms. Two separate optimisations found different techniques identified in the coaching literature that are used by gymnasts. Although the stoop stalder technique used by the two gymnasts was found to be more demanding than the clear circle technique in terms of the strength required, it offered the potential for more consistent performance and future developments in skill complexity.