Thomas Heinen

Performing dives with multiple somersaults is an inherent component of competitive diving. In individual international competitions, dives are performed from a 1- or 3-m springboard as well as from a 10-m platform, and divers use different technique variations in accelerating and decelerating rotation about the somersault axis. Therefore, the first aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different technique variations in accelerating and decelerating rotation about the somersault axis in a 109C dive (4.5 forward somersault in a tucked posture) by means of a multi-body computer simulation model based on the real performance of an expert diver. The second aim was to evaluate the feasibility of adding an additional somersault rotation to the 109C dive. The results revealed that different technique variations accounted for different amounts of gain and loss in somersault rotation, whereas no isolated technique variation accounted for an additional somersault rotation. Applying an optimized technique variation together with an increase in angular and linear momentum allowed the simulation model to perform a forward dive with 5.5 somersaults under achievable biomechanical constraints (1011C dive). It is concluded that the 1011C would be a feasible skill for a diver whose sensory-motor system is adequately adapted to withstand angular velocities of approximately 1200°/s and who is able to perform a double tucked somersault in a split-tuck posture above the platform level. Implications for changes in training practices and platform equipment are discussed.

In synchronized trampolining, two gymnasts perform the same routine at the same time. While trained gymnasts are thought to coordinate their own movements with the movements of another gymnast by detecting relevant movement information, the question arises how visual and auditory information contribute to the emergence of synchronicity between both gymnasts. Therefore the aim of this study was to examine the role of visual and auditory information in the emergence of coordinated behaviour in synchronized trampolining. Twenty female gymnasts were asked to synchronize their leaps with the leaps of a model gymnast, while visual and auditory information was manipulated. The results revealed that gymnasts needed more leaps to reach synchronicity when only either auditory (12.9 leaps) or visual information (10.8 leaps) was available, as compared to when both auditory and visual information was available (8.1 leaps). It is concluded that visual and auditory information play significant roles in synchronized trampolining, whilst visual information seems to be the dominant source for emerging behavioural synchronization, and auditory information supports this emergence.

Athletes exhibit differences in perceptual-cognitive abilities when compared to non-athletes. Recent theoretical developments focus on the role of the athletes’ body in perceptual-cognitive tasks such as mental rotation tasks. It is assumed that the degree to which stimuli in mental rotation tasks can be embodied facilitates the mental rotation process. The implications of this assumption are discussed and ideas for future research are presented.

Visual information is utilized in gymnastics vaulting. The question remains as to which informational sources are used to regulate handspring performance. The purpose of this study was to examine springboard and vaulting table position as informational sources in gymnastics vaulting. The hypothesis tested was that the approach-run and handspring kinematics change as a function of the position of the springboard and the position of the vaulting table.

Purpose: The aims of this study were, first, to investigate visual spotting and, second, to explore the functional relationships between movement structure and gaze behavior in gymnasts as they perform preparatory giant swings (traditional and scooped technique) and dismounts (single straight and double tucked salto) with increasing difficulty on the high bar. It was predicted that visual spotting would occur in all experimental tasks.Methods: Relationships between gaze behavior and movement kinematics were explored to provide a clearer picture of how gaze is interconnected with the kinematics of dismounts on the high bar. For this purpose, kinematic parameters were measured with an optical movement-analysis system while gaze behavior was measured by using a portable and wireless eye-tracking system.Results: The measurement of gaze behavior revealed that gymnasts use visual spotting in all three tasks showing fixations throughout the whole movement. Each task was furthermore characterized by a sequence of visual fixations that was thought to serve specific movement goals. In particular, fixations during the downswing phase of the preparatory giant swings were significantly correlated with the movement phases when beginning the hip extension and flexion in the “kick through” as well as with the athlete’s distance of flight during the dismounts.Conclusions: The findings suggest that gymnasts can use visual spotting during preparatory giant swings and dismounts on the high bar and that there are functional relationships between different fixations and specific movement goals.