Do Code of Points in men artistic gymnastics and women artistic gymnastics favor asymmetric elements?

Abstract The purpose of research was to determine whether Code of Point (COP) in Men Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) and Women Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) favor asymmetric elements in order to build gymnast’s competition exercise. All elements which are described in MAG (N = 993) and WAG (N = 713) COP were included and defined if they are symmetric at start position, during movement and at final position. Element is symmetric by arms and trunk with legs activity when all left and right body side performs simultaneously same activity. Results show in MAG COP as a whole is significantly more asymmetric elements with asymmetric trunk and legs activity. In WAG COP as a whole is significantly more asymmetric elements with asymmetric activity of arms, trunk and legs. Hypothetical most difficulty exercises on each apparatus revealed that in general for all around gymnast proportion between asymmetric and symmetric elements is close to 70% to 30%, what suggests that difficulty relates to increased asymmetry. COP in MAG and WAG enforces asymmetric movements for achieving high results, however, coaches’ task is to be aware of COP influence on gymnasts’ health and minimize asymmetries in load and to work on symmetric conditioning

Relationships between gaze behavior and motor behavior in complex aerial skills

Velentzas K, Heinen T, Sato Y. Relationships between gaze behavior and motor behavior in complex aerial skills. In: Heinen T, Čuk I, Goebel R, Velentzas K, eds. Gymnastics Performance and Motor Learning – Principles and Applications. Sport and Athletics Preparation, Performance, and Psychology. NY: Nova; 2016

The measurement of mental representations within the context of motor actions

Velentzas K, Henning L, Jeraj D. The measurement of mental representations within the context of motor actions. In: Heinen T, Čuk I, Goebel R, Velentzas K, eds. Gymnastics Performance and Motor Learning – Principles and Applications. New York: Nova; 2016: 89-118

Do Code of Points in men artistic gymnastics and women artistic gymnastics favor asymmetric elements?

Abstract The purpose of research was to determine whether Code of Point (COP) in Men Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) and Women Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) favor asymmetric elements in order to build gymnast’s competition exercise. All elements which are described in MAG (N = 993) and WAG (N = 713) COP were included and defined if they are symmetric at start position, during movement and at final position. Element is symmetric by arms and trunk with legs activity when all left and right body side performs simultaneously same activity. Results show in MAG COP as a whole is significantly more asymmetric elements with asymmetric trunk and legs activity. In WAG COP as a whole is significantly more asymmetric elements with asymmetric activity of arms, trunk and legs. Hypothetical most difficulty exercises on each apparatus revealed that in general for all around gymnast proportion between asymmetric and symmetric elements is close to 70% to 30%, what suggests that difficulty relates to increased asymmetry. COP in MAG and WAG enforces asymmetric movements for achieving high results, however, coaches’ task is to be aware of COP influence on gymnasts’ health and minimize asymmetries in load and to work on symmetric conditioning

Movement Regulation of Handsprings on Vault

Heinen T, Vinken PM, Jeraj D, Velentzas K. Movement Regulation of Handsprings on Vault. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 2013;84(1):68-78

Kinematic variables of table vault on artistic gymnastics

Abstract The table vault is an event of male and female Artistics Gymnastics. Although it can be performed in a variety of rotations and body positions in different phases, it can be separated in three groups: handspring, Yurchenko and Tsukahara. It is believed that kinematic variables of vault may vary according to group of vault or gymnast body position, but few studies compares the real differences among the three groups of vaults, comparing and describing the variables in different phases. Vault kinematic variables could be diversifying according to the approach or position of the vaulting, but little has been studied about the biomechanical differences, comparing and describing behaviours at different stages. The aim of this study was to organize critical, objective and to systematize the most relevant kinematic variables to performance on vaulting. A Meta analysis over the basis Pubmed, Sport Discus and Web of Science were performed about this issue. From the selected references, we described and analyzed the kinematics of the table vault. Vault can be characterized in seven phases of analysis. Most of the studies are descriptive, and some do not descript all phases. Differences among vault variables according to group vaults, technical level and gender were analysed only in recent studies. There still gaps of knowledge about kinematic variables of table vault, in order to provide comprehensive information about all possibilities of vaults in this gymnastic event. It is concluded that kinematic variables of table vault depends upon vault group and may be considered to the improvement of technical performance. More researches are needed to approach the coaching interface with biomechanics applicable knowledge