Question – When performing a round-off back somersault why is it easier when we include a run up phase?

Sport biomechanics is an analysis of human movement in relation to science. It discusses how human bodies move and why they move certain ways. Biomechanics is divided into two areas; kinetics which analyses the forces acting on the body and kinematics which analyses the movements of the body. The equipment or environment used will also affect the performers result. In this blog the biomechanics of a round-off back somersault will be discussed and analysed to enhance the performance of the skill.  A round off is similar to a cartwheel however when the athlete is directly upside down the legs must snap together in the air and then hit the floor at the same time. Round-offs are usually used at the beginning of a tumbling line to gain enough momentum to go into back tucks, double back tucks, back layouts etc. Round offs can also be used when dismounting a beam.  A back somersault starts from a standing position with the arms reached over their head, jumping upwards into the air. The body is stretched out, the knees are pulled into a tuck position and the body rotates backwards, the performer lands on two feet standing up right. The blog will discuss the impulse- momentum relationship, acceleration, speed and velocity, Newton’s laws and kinetic energy when doing the round off back somersault.