Coordination as a function of skill level in the gymnastics longswing (original) (raw)
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PLoS ONE, 2013
Coordination between arm-trunk and trunk-leg is important for effective longswing performance. This research describes inter-segmental coordination changes after a practice period of longswing on high bar in a novice cohort. Novices were divided by initial skill level (talent) into two groups: spontaneously-talented, (ST, n = 10, closer to expert performance) and non-spontaneously-talented (NST, n = 15). Additionally, post-practice longswing coordination was compared to expert gymnasts (n = 9). Longswing amplitude and coordination (inter-joint reversal points and continuous relative phase, CRP) were assessed for pre-and post-practice sessions. ANOVAs showed similar practice effects in swing enlargements for the ST (11%) and NST (18%), but inter-joint reversal points and positive area in CRP during the downswing were different. Due to practice, the ST group paired shoulder and hip reversal points (events) during the downswing closer and with larger velocity of the arm in relation to the trunk than the NST group. The NST failed to modify coordination probably due to a large variability at the beginning of the downswing. Given a similar amount of practice, talent could help to achieve the right temporal events' sequence during downswing, which would allow the exploration of different segmental coordination. However, upswing coordination of the novice groups (ST and NST) requires more focused practice to achieve expert levels than downswing, especially the arm-trunk coordination.
Preferred coordination modes in the first steps of the learning of a complex gymnastics skill
Human Movement Science, 1998
The aim of this experiment was to analyze the ®rst coordination modes exhibited by novices in a complex gymnastics skill (the swings under parallel bars, in bent inverted hang position), compared to the coordination mode of a group of experts. Eight novices and four experts were involved in the experiment. For experts a mode of coordination was predicted which was characterized by a 2 : 1 frequency ratio between vertical and pendular oscillations of the body center of mass, with a 90/270°phase oset. In contrast a simpler coordination mode was expected for novices characterized by absolute frequency and phase synchronizations. Both predictions were supported by the results. Despite a signi®cant increase in the amplitude of the swings, no evolution seemed to occur in the coordination mode over eight sessions of practice. This experiment shows that the behavior of beginners, in a novel task, is highly constrained by the intrinsic dynamics of the system, and that overcoming these spontaneous tendencies remains dicult. Ó
Journal of Sports Sciences, 2019
When learning swinging skills on a bar there has been conflicting advice in the research literature regarding whether to coach the "gold standard" technique to novices. The present study aimed to determine how technique (joint angle time histories) and (inter-limb) coordination changed as novice gymnasts learned a fundamental gymnastics skill (the upstart). It was hypothesised that both technique and coordination would become more like an expert as learning progressed. Eight novice gymnasts, unable to perform an upstart, underwent four months of training, with the number of successful upstarts out of 10 recorded at the start and then every month subsequently. In the first and last sessions motion capture was used to determine joint kinematics. Root mean squared differences for the joint angle time histories and continuous relative phase at the shoulder and hip were calculated between the novices and an expert gymnast. As training progressed technique and coordination became more like the expert gymnast. The more successful novices were better able to time their actions within the swing than the less successful novices. Gymnastics coaches teach towards a "gold standard" technique since being successful at the skill is not the only goal, as considerations for future skill development are made.
The Importance of Motor Coordination Abilities for Performance in Rhythmic Gymnastics
Facta universitatis. Series physical education and sport, 2016
. Rhythmic gymnastics (RG) is a difficult and complex sport which requires increased space-time coordination between body movements and apparatus handling, thus making specific motor coordination a vital part of technical preparation in RG with an important role in creating the preconditions necessary for allowing the gymnast to learn many RG techniques. The purpose of the research was to test and/or determine the possibility of predicting success in RG performance on the basis of gymnasts’ coordination skills. One hundred and twenty-seven national- and international-level rhythmic gymnasts (age: 11.93±3.09 years, body height: 147.65±14.6 cm, body mass: 37.67±11.7 kg, BMI: 16.78±2.26 kg/m 2 , training experience: 5.85±2.81 years), distributed in five age categories (22 beginners, aged 7-9 years; 39 intermediate, aged 9-12 years; 26 advanced, aged 12-14 years; 25 juniors, aged 14-16 years; 15 seniors, aged 16 years and older), volunteered to participate in the study. Their baseline ...
Differing Roles of Functional Movement Variability as Experience Increases in Gymnastics
Journal of sports science & medicine, 2016
Current theories, like Ecological Dynamics, propose that inter-trial movement variability is functional when acquiring or refining movement coordination. Here, we examined how age-based experience levels of gymnasts constrained differences in emergent movement pattern variability during task performance. Specifically, we investigated different roles of movement pattern variability when gymnasts in different age groups performed longswings on a high bar, capturing the range of experience from beginner to advanced status. We also investigated the functionality of the relationships between levels of inter-trial variability and longswing amplitude during performance. One-hundred and thirteen male gymnasts in five age groups were observed performing longswings (with three different experience levels: beginners, intermediates and advanced performers). Performance was evaluated by analysis of key events in coordination of longswing focused on the arm-trunk and trunk-thigh segmental relatio...
Whole-body kinematics and coordination in a complex dance sequence: Differences across skill levels
Human Movement Science, 2020
This study examined differences across skill levels in the kinematics of a complex, whole-body, asymmetrical, cyclical dance sequence, the 'Alternate Basic' in Cha-Cha-Cha, to determine whether observed differences were consistent with Bernstein's (1967) model of development of coordination. Bernstein proposed that with novel motor skills, beginners move their bodies rigidly and spastically, freezing kinematic degrees of freedom (DOF) to constrain the motor system. As the skill becomes practised, the DOF unfreeze and movements become more dynamic, allowing the integration of reactional elements (passive forces, moments, etc.) and organisation of more complex coordinative structures. Twenty-nine dancers-beginners (n = 10), intermediates (n = 10), experts (n = 9)-performed 12 cycles of the dance sequence (total duration~60 s). Three-dimensional kinematic data from 36 joint angles were collected using a 14-camera infrared motion capture system. Most joints displayed increased amplitude and speed of movement, especially early in skill progression (beginner-intermediate stage), with no evidence of any decreases, showing that unfreezing occurred around the general movement pattern early. Speed of movement continued to increase later (intermediate-expert stage), as well as further unfreezing of the upper limbs. Changes to intra-limb couplings were limited, comprising some early reductions in coupling strength. Principal component analyses (PCA) showed that the structure of movement became more organised with increased skill. There was an early reduction in the number of coordinative structures, while later, movement was integrated more into the first coordinative structure. As predicted by Bernstein's coordination development model, therefore, the kinematic DOF unfroze as skill level progressed, leading to increased organisation of coordinative structures. The results of this study support the importance of a whole-body perspective in studies of coordination, with incorporation of kinetic variables in future research in order to examine the role that reactional elements play in motor skill development.
Lumen Proceedings, 2017
This paper aims to highlight the influence of sensorimotor coordination development on biomechanical characteristics in double back somersault executed on the floor by junior gymnasts aged 12 to 15 years. The following methods were used to achieve the goal and objectives of the research: analysis of specialized literature; method of pedagogical observation; method of pedagogical experiment; method of tests; video computerized method of biomechanical analysis; statistical-mathematical method and method of graphical representation. A number of 3 tests of evaluation of sensorimotor coordination were used during this study: test 1-"Briuk" test, static balance; test 2-static-kinematic stability and test 3-stuck landing. The biomechanical analysis was made by means of Physics ToolKit program, monitoring the key elements of sports technique used in double back somersault on floor. The study findings show the level of sensorimotor coordination development in terms of spatialtemporal orientation, vestibular coordination and balance, kinematic and dynamic analysis of sports technique key elements regarding body segments trajectories, angular speeds and force momentum during double back somersault on floor. Also, the evaluation of sensorimotor coordination consistent with the biomechanical analysis of sports technique of floor acrobatic elements in the case of junior gymnasts aged 12 to 15 highlights their influence on the technical training and performances achieved in competitions.
Freestyle gymnastic exercise can be used to assess complex coordination in a variety of sports
Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 2019
Objective: The assessment of motor coordination is a very complex process and demonstrates a high degree of sport specificity. There are a limited number of tests, if any, where results correlate with the success rate of athletes in different sports. Methods: Free style gymnastic exercise (FSGE) and coordination ball dribbling exercise (CBDE) were used to see whether the execution quality of these tests is related to the quality of athletes from team handball, water polo, kayak, rhythmical gymnastics (RG) and aerobics (222 athletes-75 male, 147 female; 23 non-athletes-9 male, 14 female). Results: FSGE results related to the quality of performance in all sports (r ¼-0.232, p < 0.01 in handball, water polo, kayak and r ¼-0.26, p < 0.05 in aerobics and RG), while CBDE did not. Older players had higher ranking as they had more time to be successful at their sport (r ¼-0.498, p < 0.01 in handball, water polo, kayak; r ¼-0.298, p < 0.05 in aerobics and RG). The scores of FSGE were independent from the age and gender of the subjects. Conclusions: The main findings were: (i) that athletes did significantly better than the controls in both tests; (ii) RG and aerobics athletes did better on the FSGE than handball, water polo players and kayakers; (iii) handball players did better than kayakers, RG and aerobics athletes on the CBDE test; and (iv) better ranked athletes performed better on the FGSE test. Therefore, FSGE test appears to be a reliable test to assess coordination in variety of sport and different levels of sport performance.
Coordination changes in a discrete multi-articular action as a function of practice
Acta Psychologica, 2008
This study investigated how novices re-organized motor system degrees of freedom when practicing a multi-articular discrete kicking task. Four male participants practiced a soccer chipping task to seven different target positions over 12 sessions for 4 weeks. Data from each participant indicated changes in degrees of freedom involvement as a function of practice. Further, each participant showed a different progression of change in levels of joint involvement for hip, knee and ankle in the kicking limb. Cross-correlations between joints in the kicking limb also showed different pathways of coupling and de-coupling with practice. Performance outcome scores improved and variability of intra-limb coordination decreased as a consequence of practice for all participants. Angle-angle plots also showed qualitative changes in intra-limb coordination between early and late practice sessions. Evidence suggested that foot velocity at ball contact was functionally manipulated by participants when kicking to target positions with varying height and distance constraints. Referencing data to a model of learning . Coordination, control and skill. In: Goodman, D., Franks, I., & Wilberg, R.B. (Eds.), Differing perspectives in motor learning, memory, and control. Amsterdam: North-Holland, pp. 295-317] determined that progression through different stages of learning may not be sequential and could alternate between learning stages. The present study highlighted individual differences in acquisition of coordination and control of joint motion even under similar task constraints, showing how degeneracy in movement systems facilitates learning.
Study Regarding Coordination at Landings Performed in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics
European Proceedings of Social & Behavioural Sciences, 2016
The purpose of this study was to investigate the existing correlations between intersegmental coordination and the scores obtained by the athletes for the technical element-landing in artistic gymnastics. The subjects who took part in this study were 21 female athletes aged between 9-10 years, practicing artistic gymnastics. The RCMV test included in the PSISELTEVA battery, developed by RQ Plus, was used to assess intersegmental coordination expressed by certain psychomotor parameters (perceptual-motor learning ability, performance coefficient, personal optimum rhythm, resistance to disruptive factors and resistance to time pressure). Using the Spearman correlation, there were highlighted important relations between the results obtained in RCMV test by the female athletes practicing artistic gymnastics and the scores for the technical element-landing (in the case of vault and uneven bars). The analysis of the results indicates that there is a positively significant correlation between the following psychomotor parameters: perceptual-motor learning ability, performance coefficient, resistance to time pressure and the scores obtained by the female athletes for landing (in the case of vault). Also, there is a negatively significant correlation between the personal optimum rhythm coefficient and the results for landing (vault). Consequently, the results indicate that the development of intersegmental coordination can positively influence the technical element-landing of the female athletes practicing artistic gymnastics.