PREDICTION OF AN OPTIMUM TECHNIQUE FOR THE WOMEN’S YURCHENKO LAYOUT VAULT

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify an optimum technique for the women’s Yurchenko layout vault through an application of optimal control theory on a five-segment model consisting of the hand, whole arm, upper trunk, lower trunk and whole leg. An optimum technique for the vault was determined which, compared to the data, had greater post-flight amplitude and a better layout posture throughout post-flight. However, it involved a larger angular velocity of the segments and greater shoulder extension by about 9º, than the data. The impact phase of the optimum technique was shorter than the data by 0.003 s, and served to increase both the angular momentum of the model as well as the vertical horse takeoff velocity. There is thus, evidence of a ‘blocking technique’ during impact.