Authors: Beatriz Santos, Maria F. Paulino, Beatriz Gomes, Luis Roseiro, Maria A. Neto, Ana M. Amaro

Acrobatic gymnastics is a modality characterized by high-intensity training and practice of numerous repetitions of exercises. Moreover, considering the constant impact to which bone, joint and muscle structures are subject to each ground reception, this modality increases the probability of gymnast injury, particularly of the lower limbs. This work aims to study the kinematics and kinetics of ground reception of flying gymnasts after a vertical jump. A force platform quantified the ground reaction forces developed during reception. The relationship between several kinematic variables and the peak vertical force during ground reception was analyzed. There were also studies of the maximum height of the heel and the reception procedure, i.e., if the steering wheel falls predominantly on the forefoot or midfoot. But also the impulse exerted in reception, the duration of reception of the steering wheel, the vertical distance between the steering wheel greater trochanter and the ground at the moment of maximum lower limbs flexion, and the influence of the gymnast's weight. This study allowed concluding that the form of reception (forefoot or midfoot), the impulse exerted in reception and the gymnast's weight has a positive relationship. The results showed an increase of the vertical force with the impulse and that the intensity of the vertical force depends on the fall procedure, i.e., is smaller when the wheel falls on the forefoot and greater when it falls on the midfoot.

Beatriz Santos ¹ | Maria F. Paulino² | Beatriz Gomes³ | Luis Roseiro^1,4 | Maria A. Neto² | Ana M. Amaro²

1 Universidade de Coimbra, DEM, Portugal
2 Universidade de Coimbra, CEMMPRE, DEM, Portugal
3 Universidade de Coimbra, CIDAF, FCDEF, Portugal
4 Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ISEC, DEM, Portugal