The relationship between chosen kinematic parameters of the aerial cartwheel on the balance beam during skill learning article details

Abstract

Background: ‪The purpose of this study was to determine a relationship between the chosen parameters of aerial cartwheel on the balance beam during learning the skill of this element.
Material and methods: ‪Four national level junior female gymnasts participated in this study. The trials of the aerial cartwheel were filmed, and the best technically performed trial was chosen for analysis.
Results: ‪A statistically significant relationship was found between the duration of the flight phase and the length between foot at the starting position (-0.675) and the height of the body's center of gravity (-0.626), respectively. Statistically significant positive correlations were also found between the knee angle at landing and the duration of the phase on one leg at landing (0.639). A strong positive correlation was also found between the length of the aerial cartwheel and the height of the body's center of gravity (0.677), and a negative one with the duration of the flight phase (-0.533) and the duration of the phase on one leg at the landing (-0.805).
Conclusions: ‪Using basic biomechanical principles, the gymnast can perform movements with less effort. A coach can identify mistakes more quickly and provide their gymnasts with more effective advice.

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The relationship between chosen kinematic
parameters of the aerial cartwheel
on the balance beam during skill learning
Aleksandra Aleksić-Veljković1 ABCDEF, Kamenka Živčić Marković2 ADE,
Lucija Milčić2 DEF
1 Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš, Serbia
2 Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Croatia
article details
Article statistics: Word count: 2,081; Tables: 1; Figures: 1; References: 19
Received: September 2017; Accepted: January 2019; Published: March 2019
Full-text PDF: http://www.balticsportscience.com
Copyright © Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Poland
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Funding: This research received no specic grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-prot sectors.
Conict of interests: Authors have declared that no competing interest exists.
Corresponding author: Corresponding author: Aleksandra Aleksić-Veljković, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Department of Individual
Sports, University of Niš, Serbia, Čarnojevića 10a, 18000 Niš, Republic of Serbia; Telephone: +381 18 511-940; ext. 207;
Oce No. 207; E-mail: aleksić.veljkovic@gmail.com .
Open Access License: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0
International (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in
any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and is otherwise in compliance
with the license.
Authors’ Contribution:
A Study Design
B Data Collection
C Statistical Analysis
D Data Interpretation
E Manuscript Preparation
F Literature Search
G Funds Collection
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ORIGINAL
doi: 10.29359/BJHPA.11.1.02
abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to determine a relationship between the chosen parameters of aerial
cartwheel on the balance beam during learning the skill of this element.
Material and methods: Four national level junior female gymnasts participated in this study. The trials of the aerial cartwheel
were lmed, and the best technically performed trial was chosen for analysis.
Results: A statistically signicant relationship was found between the duration of the ight phase and the length
between foot at the starting position (-0.675) and the height of the body's center of gravity (-0.626),
respectively. Statistically signicant positive correlations were also found between the knee angle at
landing and the duration of the phase on one leg at landing (0.639). A strong positive correlation was
also found between the length of the aerial cartwheel and the height of the body's center of gravity
(0.677), and a negative one with the duration of the ight phase (-0.533) and the duration of the phase
on one leg at the landing (-0.805).
Conclusions: Using basic biomechanical principles, the gymnast can perform movements with less eort. A coach
can identify mistakes more quickly and provide their gymnasts with more eective advice.
Key words: artistic gymnastics, acrobatic elements, sport biomechanics.

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introduction
During complex, highly valued elements, gymnast’s body is moving by
mechanisms associated with the regulations of displacement of a body in place.
Keeping the balance of the body is crucial because of the characteristics of the
balance beam. Small body compensatory movements are necessary to maintain
balance and bring the center of gravity of the body above the support. If they
are followed up by additional movements to prevent the fall o the balance
beam, they will be penalized by the judges.
Technical training on all apparatus, especially on the balance beam, is better
if based on biomechanical principles for the performance of elements, but also
if it follows a methodical system of rules, established on scientic analysis.
These aspects lead to the formation of stable and precise technical skills,
without failures or accidents, by developing own resources of physical potential
[1]. Technical training in gymnastics, especially in juniors should be based
on biomechanical recommendations by applying the quantitative analysis of
video-technical training. So, the learning technique based on biomechanical
analyses can help in early detection of mistakes. The detailed knowledge of
kinematic and dynamic characteristics of aerial cartwheel allows intervention
of specialists in sports training. The objective conducting of the training process
can thus contribute to the rapid evolution towards higher requirements, and
the detection of potential that can help harness the increasing diiculty of
execution and the transition to a high technical group for the athletes who
display such unexplored reserves [1].
In conformity to the international regulations [2], the routine on the beam must
include a mount, elements of dierent structural groups (acrobatic, gymnastic,
mixed elements) and elements near the balance beam. The whole combination
must be characterized by dynamism, changes of rhythm and continuity. The
end of the exercise (the dismount) must be consistent with the diiculty of
the whole and with the specic requirements of the competition [3]. Aerial
cartwheel is a usually performed acrobatic element. This element is D value [2]
and, because a gymnast is landing on one foot, it is very good for connections
values and is also a requirement for forward or sideward gymnastics elements.
Free aerial cartwheel requires explosive power of the knee extensor muscle,
static strength of the knee extensors and exors, especially during the ight
phase. Because of the complexity of exercise, this requires a high level of
coordination, a speed of movement of individual body parts and balance. In
addition to physical preparation, a gymnast who performs the aerial cartwheel
must have a satisfactory level of psychological ability. Specically, it is important
to use strength preparation for the elements which are learned in order to
improve intramuscular coordination and make the performance much easier [4].
Performance in artistic gymnastics happens very fast, so human eye cannot
see mistakes that are occurring in the aerial phase. All phases of acrobatic
movements (contact, aerial, and landing or phases) are interrelated [5].
Therefore, biomechanical analysis will help to resolve the mistakes in the
performance. To understand some biomechanical requirements on the apparatus
will help coaches to develop safe and eective training programs based on
scientic information [6]. Another issue involves injuries that can be prevented
by regular preparatory and methodical exercises. A dierent technique may
prevent musculoskeletal overload and reduce the potential of injuries [7].
Aleksić-Veljković A, Živčić Marković K, Milčić L.
Kinematic parameters of the aerial cartwheel
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Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity 2014; 1(1): 1-4
Journal of Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport
e-ISSN 2080-9999
Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity 2019; 11(1): 18-23
Journal of Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport
e-ISSN 2080-9999
Fig. 1. Performance of aerial cartwheel
The aim of this investigation was to determine a relationship between the
chosen parameters of aerial cartwheel on the balance beam during skill
learning of this element. The second aim was to point out the most important
problems in learning this element.
material an d methods
Four national level junior female gymnasts (mean ± SD height: 1.64 ±0.08 m,
body mass: 59.0 ±6.9 kg) were selected for the study and gave written informed
consent. The experimental protocols were approved by the University’s Research
Ethics Committee. During the collection session, each gymnast performed ten
successful aerial cartwheels on the balance beam (10 trials for each gymnast).
The trials of the aerial cartwheel were recorded during training, and the best
technically performed trial was chosen for the analysis. Cartwheels were
recorded with Casio FX Camera at speed of 300 frames per second. The camera
was positioned lateral to the direction of the balance beam performance and
5 meters from the edge. Parameters were calculated using software for 2D
Kinematic Analysis “Kinovea” 0.8.25.
The parameters used for analyses were: SPOS ‒ the length between feet at
starting position (in cm), LFSP ‒ the length between feet at the beginning
(in cm), DBF ‒ the duration of phase on both feet (in seconds), HCG ‒ the
height of the center of gravity (in cm), DFP ‒ the duration of the ight phase
(in seconds), DFOL ‒ the duration of the phase on one leg at the landing (in
seconds), ATO ‒ the angle of take-o (in degrees), AOL – the knee angle at the
landing, AOKL ‒ the angle of landing between torso and knee of the rst leg
(in degrees), LOAC ‒ the length of the aerial cartwheel (in degrees).
Data analyses were conducted using SPSS 16. We used inferential statistics
(the Pearson Product Moment Correlation) to determine the correlation
between the variables at a 95% level of signicance (p < 0.05).
results
The correlation coeicients between biomechanical parameters of the aerial
cartwheel are presented in Table 1. A statistically signicant negative relationship
was found between duration of the ight phase and the length between feet at
the starting position (-0.675, p < 0.05) and the height of the body's center of
gravity (-0.626, p < 0.05). A negative correlation was found between the knee
angle of the front foot and the length between the feet at the starting position.

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Table 1. Correlations between chosen kinematic parameters of aerial cartwheel, at the level of
statistical signicance p < 0.05
Var. SPOS LFSP DBF HCG DFP DFOL ATO AOL AOKL
LFSP 0.077
DBF 0.064 -0.269
HCG 0.008 0.355 0.120
DFP -0.024 -0.675** 0.272 -0.626**
DFOL -0.521* -0.102 0.091 -0.241 0.294
ATO -0.132 -0.627** 0.365 -0.413 0.401 0.093
AOL -0.279 0.243 0.148 0.150 -0.252 0.639** 0.186
AOKL -0.078 0.054 -0.199 -0.302 -0.046 -0.123 0.154 0.015
LOAC 0.488 0.187 0.027 0.677** -0.533* -0.805** -0.263 -0.359 -0.201
Legend: SPOS - the length between feet at the starting position, LFSP - the length between feet at the
beginning, DBF - the duration of the phase on both feet, HCG - the height of the center of gravity, DFP
- the duration of the ight phase, DFOL - the duration of the phase on one leg at the landing, ATO - the
angle of take-o, AOL – the knee angle at the landing, AOKL - the angle of landing between the torso and
the knee of the rst leg, LOAC - the length of the aerial cartwheel.
Statistically signicant positive correlations were found between the knee
angle at landing and the duration of the phase on one leg at the landing (0.639,
p < 0.05). A strong positive correlation was also found between the length of the
aerial cartwheel and the height of the body's center of gravity (0.677, p < 0.05),
and a negative one with the duration of the ight phase (-0.533, p < 0.05), and
the duration of the phase on one leg at the landing (-0.805, p < 0.05).
discussion
The purpose of this study was to the determine a relationship between parameters
of aerial cartwheel on the balance beam during the learning process and also to
point out the most important problems in learning this element. We investigated
aerial cartwheels with successful performance during the learning process of
this gymnastic skill. A successful aerial cartwheel can also have certain errors
in technique that can result in greater deductions during competition when
this skill is performed in the exercise and in dierent combinations with other
elements. Connections of two or more elements bring connections values, and
aerial cartwheel is very often part of those connections because it is a D value
[2] element. D value [2] means that this element is worth 0.4 points which
counts for diiculty values of the routine. Poor performance of aerial cartwheel
causes mistakes in connections and inability to connect with other elements,
which will result in judges’ deductions. These facts can help coaches’ in the
learning process in order to improve aerial performance of their gymnasts
and use the proper technique. The determined correlations between chosen
parameters indicate important factors of proper performance. Results have
shown that the aerial cartwheel should be performed in place without moving
away, actually swinging under the center of gravity, and thus keeping the height
for performance. If the gymnast makes a poor kick with a leg and also with arms,
the performance will be worse, and landing will be lower and far. Likewise, the
results indicate that elements need to be performed very quickly.
The aerial cartwheel falls into the category of complex acrobatic exercises, which
are often performed in the balance beam routine, especially in connection with
elements that start from one leg. In addition to ne motor and psychological
Aleksić-Veljković A, Živčić Marković K, Milčić L.
Kinematic parameters of the aerial cartwheel
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Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity 2014; 1(1): 1-4
Journal of Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport
e-ISSN 2080-9999
preparation, the coach’s training and experience is very important. His knowledge
of techniques involves elements, methods of teaching, knowledge to remove
the mistakes, knowledge and experience for assisting and keeping, represent
perhaps even the most important components in the training process. Dierent
gymnasts are dierently built and have a dierent strength and exibility. These
factors have a signicant eect in determining the most eective techniques for
each individual gymnast. To learn these very important gymnastic elements, it
is necessary to start skill acquisition with selected gymnasts at the age of 8 to
9 years old and nish it by 12 to 13 years of age.
In accordance with the mechanical laws, the take-o characteristics (arm
swing, leg impulse and velocity of backward displacement) determine both the
angular momentum, the trajectory of the center of mass (COM) and the total
ight time of a gymnast during an acrobatic aerial ight [8, 9, 10, 11]. Gittoes
et al. [12] note that discrepancies in spatial orientation during an aerial phase
in gymnastics may need to be compensated for at the beginning of landing.
While their study deals with dismounts, a similar situation may occur during
any aerial movement in acrobatic elements on a balance beam. There is the
inability to control the body's angles in the aerial cartwheel during the ight
phase, and like in other elements, this fact can be a factor that will result in
failed landing. To avoid falling o the beam, the gymnast may attempt to rotate
the arms quickly in the direction of the fall with the possibility that the rest
of the body will stop or reverse its unwanted rotation [13].
In the training process, each phase should be given an important place because
it is connected to one another, and because of this error in one of the phases
causes the error in the next phase. The most common errors that occur when
doing an aerial cartwheel are: moving the center of gravity back at the take-o
lowers the body's center of gravity during the ight and causes problems at
the landing; an error in the movement occurs when the angle of the hip joint
in at take-o is 90º or greater, which causes a small speed during rotation;
when gymnasts have not performed blocking with arms in a position when the
body is approximately vertical, this will inuence the required transferring
momentum, length and duration of the aerial cartwheel; the angle of the hip
joint are less than 180º in the ight phase, i.e., a bent posture inuences the
placing the foot away from the center of gravity of the body.
There is a lack of studies investigating inaccurate gymnastic elements on
the beam in order to improve gymnasts’ performance and to reduce score
deductions. Hars et al. [14] examined reaction forces during support phases of
back walkovers. However, only good performances, from the judges' point of
view, were examined. Most other studies focused on balance beam dismounts
[6, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19], but there is lack of investigations of acrobatic
elements on the balance beam.
conclusions
The coach and the athlete should strive towards eiciency. Eicient movement
in gymnastics can be described as a movement that gives maximum results with
minimum eort. Using basic biomechanical principles, gymnast can perform
movements with less eort. Additionally, this result can help in eliminating
mistakes, because each mistake into the steps of element will result with next
mistakes that are connected. A coach can identify mistakes more quickly and
provide more eective advice to their gymnasts.
Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity 2019; 11(1): 18-23
Journal of Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport
e-ISSN 2080-9999

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Cite this article as:
Aleksić-Veljković A, Živčić Marković K, Milčić L.
The relationship between chosen kinematic parameters of the aerial cartwheel on the balance beam during skill learning.
Balt J Health Phys Act. 2019;11(1):18-23.
doi: 10.29359/BJHPA.11.1.02
Aleksić-Veljković A, Živčić Marković K, Milčić L.
Kinematic parameters of the aerial cartwheel
Balt J Health Phys Act. 2019;11(1):18-23