Kinetic and Kinematic Analysis of Landing during Standing Back Somersault Using Three Technical Arm Swings in Artistic Gymnastics

The crucial criteria when assessing technical performance in artistic gymnastics is the
higher elevation of the gymnast’s body and a stable landing (i.e., stick-landing). The purpose of this
study was to compare kinetic and kinematic parameters during the landing phase of standing back
somersaults (SBS) following three technical arm-swing performed during the preparatory phase in
high-level male gymnasts. The three different arm-swing pertain to three “gymnastics schools”, i.e.,
Russian, Chinese, and Romanian. Six high-level male gymnasts participated in this study. Three
arm-swing with different angles (i.e., SBS270°, SBS180°, and SBS90°) were randomly performed. A 3D
kinetic and kinematic analysis was conducted. Results showed significant variation in the landing
angle (p = 0.009) across the three arm-swing techniques. The SBS90° arm-swing resulted in the closest
angle to the vertical. Additionally, the SBS90° arm-swing technique induced the lowest horizontal
and vertical force values upon landing compared to the other arm-swing techniques (SBS270°: p =
0.023 and 0.009, respectively; SBS180°: p = 0.004 and 0.080, respectively). The same was noted for the
horizontal velocity (p = 0.021) with the lowest values noted for the SBS90° arm-swing technique.
However, the best opening angle was observed during the SBS270° technique, since it presented the
best vertical displacement. In conclusion, the SBS with a SBS90° arm-swing seems to favor a better
absorption of the ground reaction force upon landing by reducing the intensity of the impact with
the ground and by affording a landing angle closer to the vertical in high-level male gymnasts.