Joana Barreto

Objectives: Postural stability is a key component of Acrobatic Gymnastics performance and can be assessed using centre of pressure (COP) variables. This feasibility study provides the first analysis of postural stability during transitional pyramids in Acrobatic Gymnastics by investigating the associations between COP variables and judges’ penalties for body segment positions and postural instability across different phases. Moreover, it also examines the role of each foot in postural stability during performance. Methods: Eight acrobatic gymnasts (6 females and 2 males; 4 base and 4 top gymnasts) completed five repetitions of a transitional pyramid, comprising a total of twenty repetitions. However, only eighteen repetitions were eligible for analysis. COP variables (amplitude, peak velocity, and ellipse length, width and area) were extracted during the three phases of the pyramid, and judges’ penalties were obtained from the evaluation of two international acrobatic judges. Results: Moderate associations were identified between COP variables and judges’ penalties (p < 0.05). Phase 1 yielded consistently lower values for COP variables compared to Phases 2 and 3 (p < 0.05). Asymmetries were also observed for selected COP variables, with the left foot exhibiting higher values compared to the right foot (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study support the applicability of the proposed approach and data analysis procedures for future large-scale interventions. Different patterns of associations were observed between COP variables and judges’ penalties across the three phases of the transitional pyramid. Asymmetries were shown between right and left foot.

Background/Objectives: Body stability plays a decisive role in archery, particularly during the aiming phase. A systematic review was conducted, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, to critically examine the existing evidence on the association between body stability parameters and shooting performance. Methods: A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE Complete, CINAHL Complete, SportDiscus, and Cochrane Reviews databases was performed. Studies published until 12 July 2024 were considered. Results: Sixteen articles were selected, and we analyzed the following biomechanical parameters related to body stability: center of pressure displacement, velocity, and ellipse area; bow sway; and sway of markers placed on the head, sternum, and pelvis. The findings consistently showed that reduced center of pressure displacement and velocity, along with smaller center of pressure ellipse area, were associated with superior shooting outcomes. Although studies are scarce, data suggest that lower bow sway is associated with better shooting performance. The scarcity of research on the sway of markers placed in anatomical points does not allow for conclusions about their effectiveness as performance predictors. Despite its relevance, no studies have assessed the center of gravity data. Therefore, further research is needed to address this important point. Conclusions: Although studies have examined several parameters, the literature remains inconclusive regarding which of these parameters best predicts shooting quality.

A successful high-level gymnastics performance is the result of the coordination and inter-relation of body segments to produce movement prototypes. In this context, the exploration of different movement prototypes, as well as their relations with judges’ scores, can aid coaches to design better learning and practice methodologies. Therefore, we investigate if there are different movement prototypes of the technique of the handspring tucked somersault with a half twist (HTB) on a mini trampoline with a vaulting table and its relations with judges’ scores. We assessed flexion/extension angles of five joints during fifty trials, using an inertial measurement unit system. All trials were scored by international judges for execution. A multivariate time series cluster analysis was performed to identify movement prototypes and their differential association with judges’ scores was statistically assessed. Nine different movement prototypes were identified for the HTB technique, with two of them associated with higher scores. Statistically strong associations were found between scores and movement phases one (i.e., from the last step on the carpet to the initial contact of both feet with the mini trampoline), two (i.e., from the initial contact to the take-off on the mini trampoline) and four (i.e., from the initial contact of both hands with the vaulting table to take-off on the vaulting table) and moderate associations with movement phase six (i.e., from the tucked body position to landing with both feet on the landing mat). Our findings suggest (a) the presence of multiple movement prototypes yielding successful scoring and (b) the moderate-to-strong association of movement variations along phases one, two, four and six with judges’ scores. We suggest and provide guidelines for coaches to encourage movement variability that can lead their gymnasts to functionally adapt their performance and succeed when facing different constraints.

Perception-action coupling is fundamental to effective motor behaviour in complex sports such as gymnastics. We examined the gaze and motor behaviours of 10 international level gymnasts when performing two skills on the mini-trampoline that matched the performance demands of elite competition. The presence and absence of a vaulting table in each skill served as a task-constraint factor, while we compared super-elite and elite groups. We measured visual search behaviours and kinematic variables during the approach run phase. The presence of a vaulting table influenced gaze behaviour only in the elite gymnasts, who showed significant differences in the time spent fixating on the mini-trampoline, when compared to super-elite gymnasts. Moreover, different approach run characteristics were apparent across the two different gymnastic tasks, irrespective of the level of expertise, and take-off velocity was influenced by the skill being executed across all gymnasts. Task constraints and complexity influence gaze behaviours differed across varying levels of expertise in gymnastics, even within a sample of international level athletes. It appears that the time spent fixating their gazes on the right areas of interest during the approach run is crucial to higher-level performance and therefore higher scores in competition, particularly on the mini-trampoline with vaulting table.

There are advantages in using inertial measurement unit systems (IMUS) for biomechanical analysis when compared to 2D/3D video-based analysis. The main advantage is the ability to analyze movement in the natural performance environment, preserving the ecological validity of the task. Coaches can access accurate and detailed data in real time and use it to optimize feedback and performance. Efforts are needed to validate the accuracy of IMUS. We assess the accuracy of the IMUS Xsens MVN Link system using an optoelectronic system (OS) as a reference when measuring 3D joint angles during the gymnastics round-off back handspring technique. We collected movement kinematics from 10 participants. The coefficient of multiple correlation (CMC) results showed very good and excellent values for the majority of the joint angles, except for neck flexion/extension (F/E). Root mean square errors (RMSE) were below/near 10°, with slightly higher values for shoulder (12.571°), ankle (11.068°), thorax-thigh F/E (21.416°), and thorax–thigh internal/external rotation (I/E) (16.312°). Significant SPM-1D {t} differences for thorax–thigh abduction/adduction (A/A), neck, thorax–thigh, knee, shoulder and ankle F/E were demonstrated during small temporal periods. Our findings suggest that the Xsens MVN Link system provides valid data that can be used to provide feedback in training.