Cardiff Metropolitan University
Browse

Biomechanical evolution of the Tkachev on uneven bars in female gymnastics

Download (621.81 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2022-05-10, 16:40 authored by Gareth Irwin, Timothy A. Exell, Michelle L. Manning, David G. Kerwin

 The development of joint kinematics and kinetics is fundamental to the successful performance of complex flight skills in gymnastics bar routines. Biomechanical understanding of these skills can provide coaches and scientists with key information to make training safe and effective. The Tkachev is a complex and popular gymnastics skill with many different variations. Recently, a new version has been performed, which has become popular with elite female performers. This study examined the key biomechanical characteristics of this skill and contrasted these to the earlier versions reported. Elite female gymnasts (n = 5) were recorded and manually digitised using twin video cameras (50 Hz) at the 2007 World Gymnastics Championships. Three-dimensional (3D) DLT was used to reconstruct the real world coordinates. Individualised inertia characteristics were calculated and used to determine mass centre kinematics. Inverse dynamics analysis was used to calculate joint kinetics at the hips and shoulders from the known values at the toes. The results of this study showed an increased flight time and rotational capacity during the aerial phase for the toe-on Tkachev, as well as a more simple movement pattern and joint kinetic demand with single power impulses at the hips and shoulders compared with previous versions. The key finding of this study was that the toe-on version appeared to be less physically demanding than that the inward and outward techniques, and provide the opportunity to perform more complex aerial phase body positions. These results can help coaches to physically prepare their gymnasts and biomechanists in terms of understanding the demands of these skills. 

History

Published in

International Biomechanics

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Version

  • VoR (Version of Record)

Citation

Irwin, G., Exell, T.A., Manning, M.L. and Kerwin, D.G. (2014) 'Biomechanical evolution of the Tkachev on uneven bars in female gymnastics', International Biomechanics, 1(1), pp.21-28. DOI: 10.1080/23310472.2014.983165

Electronic ISSN

2333-5432

Cardiff Met Affiliation

  • Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences

Cardiff Met Authors

Gareth Irwin

Cardiff Met Research Centre/Group

  • High Performance

Copyright Holder

  • © The Authors

Language

  • en

Usage metrics

    Applied Sport Science - Journal Articles

    Licence

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC