BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIP: SPORT SCIENCE SERVICES FOR U.S. DIVING

Applied biomechanists must often cross the bridge from science to practice. Practitioners and scientists should work together in a seamless and supportive manner. Many models for integrating sport science services into high-performance sport have been used, with varying results (Benton, 2003; Wang, 2005). In the United States, the sport of diving has included science in its high-performance programs for more than 25 years, using a variety of models (McLaughlin, 2007). Initially, sport science was integrated into the performance program as a budget item, offering funding to proposals put forth from specific sport science and medicine disciplines, typically from University academics. An annual sport science and technology conference was funded and served as the primary means by which research findings were provided to coaches. In 2002, USA Diving adopted an interdisciplinary approach of sport science and sports medicine services in the continuing quest for podium finishes. A Performance Enhancement Team (PET) was created which included specialists in nutrition, physiology, biomechanics, medicine, and psychology. Interaction with coaches and athletes occurred primarily at bi-annual training camps, and included educational presentations, data collection and assessment, and individual feedback to athletes and coaches from the PET. Following the 2008 Olympics, the PET and its organizational tenets were dissolved. A new high performance director was hired, bringing a fresh view of diving excellence and a reduced attention to sport science and medicine services. In the London Games, USA diving won its first Olympic medals in 12 years (n = 4), including our first medals in the synchronized events. This paper will discuss the author’s experiences as a contributor to sport science services with USA Diving during the past 20 years, present research and service successes and challenges, and suggest tactics for future sport science practitioners integrating their services with sport national governing bodies

VERTICAL IMPACT FORCE AND LOADING RATE ON THE GYMNASTICS TABLE VAULT

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of low and high intensity impact forces on the average loading rate during a forward handspring vault. Peak force, time to peak and impulse were used to characterize the impact vertical force during a vault performed by 12 female gymnasts. Reaction forces from right and left hands were measured at 500 Hz with two PASCO portable force platforms fixed to the vault table surface. Force data were split in two groups: Low intensity (LI: peak forces 0.7 BW). Significant differences (

A Comparison of Pairs Figure Skaters in Repeated Jumps

Trends in pairs figure skating have shown that increasingly difficult jumps have become an essential aspect of high-level performance, especially in the latter part of a competitive program. We compared a repeated jump power index in a 60 s repeated jump test to determine the relationship of repeated jump test to competitive rank and to measure 2D hip, knee, and ankle angles and angular velocities at 0, 20, 40, and 60 s. Eighteen National Team Pairs Figure Skaters performed a 60 s repeated jump test on a large switch-mat with timing of flight and ground durations and digital video recording. Each 60-s period was divided into 6, 10-s intervals, with power indexes (W/kg) calculated for each 10-s interval. Power index by 10-s interval repeated measures ANOVAs (RMANOVA) showed that males exceeded females at all intervals, and the highest power index interval was during 10 to 20 s for both sexes. RMANOVAs of angles and angular velocities showed main effects for time only. Power index and jumping techniques among figure skaters showed rapid and steady declines over the test duration. Power index can predict approximately 50% of competitive rank variance, and sex differences in jumping technique were rare

A classification of fitness components in elite alpine skiers: a cluster analysis

The current study is an exploratory, secondary data analysis of a selection of physiological and biomechanical fitness components used to assess elite alpine skiers. The present study will provide new knowledge that can be used to aid training prescription and talent identification. A hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify groups of variables that are crucial for elite alpine skiers and differences based on sex and competition level. The key findings of the study are the patterns that emerged in the generated dendrograms. Physiological and biomechanical fitness components are differentiated in the dendrograms of male and female world-cup-level alpine skiers, but not in non-world-cup athletes. Components related to the aerobic and anaerobic capacity tightly cluster in male athletes at world cup and non-world-cup level, and female world cup athletes. Lower body explosive force production appears to be more critical in male world cup athletes than female world cup athletes. More research is needed into the importance of isometric strength in the lower body. Future research should use larger sample sizes and consider other alpine ski demographics

A PILOT STUDY TO MEASURE FORCE DEVELOPMENT DURING A SIMULATED MALTESE CROSS FOR GYMNASTICS STILL RINGS

The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement procedure for the Maltese cross performed on still rings. Sixteen elite/international gymnasts participated. Two small force platforms (FPs) interfaced to a portable data logger (100 Hz sampling rate) were placed under the gymnasts’ hands in a simulated Maltese position (i.e., prone). Gymnasts attempted to rise a few centimeters to a Maltese position while vertical ground reaction forces were recorded bilaterally. Results indicated that the FPs had sufficient fidelity to differentiate gymnasts’ abilities to perform a Maltese. This method may serve to gauge the preparedness of male gymnasts performing this important skill

A Pilot Study to Measure Force Development during a Simulated Maltese Cross for Gymnastics Still Rings

The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement procedure for the Maltese cross performed on still rings. Sixteen elite/international gymnasts participated. Two small force platforms (FPs) interfaced to a portable data logger (100 Hz sampling rate) were placed under the gymnasts’ hands in a simulated Maltese position (i.e., prone). Gymnasts attempted to rise a few centimeters to a Maltese position while vertical ground reaction forces were recorded bilaterally. Results indicated that the FPs had sufficient fidelity to differentiate gymnasts’ abilities to perform a Maltese. This method may serve to gauge the preparedness of male gymnasts performing this important skill

Stretching the spines of gymnasts: a review

Gymnastics is noted for involving highly specialized strength, power, agility and flexibility. Flexibility is perhaps the single greatest discriminator of gymnastics from other sports. The extreme ranges of motion achieved by gymnasts require long periods of training, often occupying more than a decade. Gymnasts also start training at an early age (particularly female gymnasts), and the effect of gymnastics training on these young athletes is poorly understood. One of the concerns of many gymnastics professionals is the training of the spine in hyperextension-the ubiquitous 'arch' seen in many gymnastics positions and movements. Training in spine hyperextension usually begins in early childhood through performance of a skill known as a back-bend. Does practising a back-bend and other hyperextension exercises harm young gymnasts? Current information on spine stretching among gymnasts indicates that, within reason, spine stretching does not appear to be an unusual threat to gymnasts' health. However, the paucity of information demands that further study be undertaken

Effects of Fatigue on Kinetic and Kinematic Variables During a 60-Second Repeated Jumps Test

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a maximal repeated-jumps task on force production, muscle activation and kinematics, and to determine if changes in performance were dependent on gender. Methods: Eleven male and nine female athletes performed continuous countermovement jumps for 60 s on a force platform while muscle activation was assessed using surface electromyography. Performances were videotaped and digitized (60 Hz). Data were averaged across three jumps in 10-s intervals from the initial jump to the final 10 s of the test. Results: No interaction between time and gender was evident for any variable; therefore, all results represent data collapsed across gender. Preactivation magnitude decreased across time periods for anterior tibialis (AT, P \u3c .001), gastrocnemius (GAS, P \u3c .001) and biceps femoris (BF, P = .03), but not for vastus lateralis (VL, P = .16). Muscle activation during ground contact did not change across time for BF; however, VL, G, and AT showed significant reductions (all P \u3c .001). Peak force was reduced at 40 s compared with the initial jumps, and continued to be reduced at 50 and 60 s (all P \u3c .05). The time from peak force to takeoff was greater at 50 and 60 s compared with the initial jumps (P \u3c .05). Both knee fexion and ankle dorsifexion were reduced across time (both P \u3c .001), whereas no change in relative hip angle was evident (P = .10). Absolute angle of the trunk increased with time (P \u3c .001), whereas the absolute angle of the shank decreased (P \u3c .001). Conclusions: In response to the fatiguing task, subjects reduced muscle activation and force production and altered jumping technique; however, these changes were not dependent on gender

Upper Extremity Power Characteristics in Men’s National Team Gymnasts

Abstract available in the Medicine and Sciences in Sports and Exercise