Biomechanical Aspects of the Body Segments and Center of Gravity Movements on the Pommel Horse: “Kolyvanov” Dismount in Gymnastics

Abstract

The biomechanical applications are the main procedure to refine the high difficulty elements in artistic gymnastics. Therefore, the study is desired to explain specific biomechanical aspects about gymnast’s Center of Gravity (CG) movement and alignment of body segments executing the “Kolyvanov” dismount movement pattern on the Pommel Horse (PH). The national gymnasts (n=03; weight=52.23±3.04kg; height=1.64±0.05m) who have a capability to perform this element were taken for this study. During “Kolyvanov” movement pattern, the body segment angles and CG displacements were recognized by using a setup of six high-speed cameras (Miqus M3; 100Hz) with Qualysis software. The video analysing was done through the human movement analysing software (Kinovea 0.9.5). A three dimensional (3D) graph of CG displacement was designed according to the correct movement pattern of the 2022-2024 Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Code of Point. The CG displacement was defined by three dynamic equations on the Cartesian coordinates system and alignment of the body segment angles during major six positions (Front support, Left arm side support, Back support, Right arm side support, Press up, Handstand) of the “Kolyvanov” were described by the supportive eighteen equations. The body height is the major variable of the equations. Based on the biomechanical evaluation, gymnasts and coaches can identify the execution errors of the “Kolyvanov” movement pattern compared with the 3D graph and predict the correct CG displacement movement pattern of the dismount according to gymnast’s body height.