Sub Questions

Biomechanical Intervention for a Round-off Back Somersault

A gymnast is practising their round-off back somersault but cannot rotate the full 360˚ in the back somersault; they end up landing on the knees or stomach. To improve the skill a 5 step method can be used.

Step 1 – The first step would be to identify what the gymnast is doing wrong or what needs improving on. We could set up timing lights along a 15 meter line to make sure the gymnast is building up enough speed in the run up to complete the back somersault. We could also put a measuring board behind the area where the athlete is doing the somersault. We can then film the gymnast and check how much height they are getting before the back somersault. Let’s say the gymnast is not running faster enough in the run up therefore hindering how high they are to jump.  

Step 2 – So we know the gymnast is not running fast enough during the run up phase, now we need to work out how to make them run faster and make sure they are using a correct running technique. We will focus on the run up phase of the skill. As mentioned before we can use timing lights to find out how fast the gymnast is running at different points in time. The gymnast needs to concentrate on their speed, velocity and acceleration, by doing this they need to look at their running stride. The gymnast needs to make sure their arms are bent and swing in time with the opposite leg. The knee also needs to flex properly during the recovery phase in order to reduce inertia and increase the stride frequency. The gymnast should also consider where their body is positioned when they run; being too far forward or backwards will slow the runner down.

Step 3 – The athlete’s personal characteristics need to be considered next. Let’s say the athlete is 60kg and 160m in height, very flexible, reasonable strength, can cope with muscle endurance well and has good co-ordination. However, the gymnast is not a professional runner so they will not know how to perform proper running techniques. Before they perform the gymnast gets nervous.

Step 4 – To improve the run up phase the gymnast will get sprint training by a professional until they are able to reach top speed or near top speed before 20m. The gymnast will also learn how to cope under pressure before doing the skill, while maintaining flexibility, strength, coordination and muscle endurance.  

Step 5 – The gymnast will be told whether or not they have improved at their running technique and the skill will be performed for re-testing.