WRIST JOINT LOADING DURING THE ROUND-OFF SKILLS IN FEMALE GYMNASTICS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate key injury risk factors including wrist joint kinetics and kinematics in the second contact limb for both parallel and T-shape RO techniques. Seven international level female gymnasts performed 10 trials of round-off from a hurdle step to back handspring with “parallel” and “T” shape hand position. Two force plates were used to determine ground reaction forces. Eight infrared cameras were employed to collect the kinematic data. Ttest and effect size statistics established differences. Key findings of the current study are that in the parallel technique the wrist joint is exposing to higher axial compression load. Increased wrist joint dorsiflexion and radial deviation in the T-shape technique may indicate higher risk of wrist injury in gymnastics.