Effects of task difficulty on centre of pressure excursion and its inter-trial variability in acrobatic gymnastics pyramid performance

Abstract

Despite the importance of balance in Acrobatic Gymnastic Pyramid performance, there is limited biomechanical analysis of balance during this activity. The aims of this study were to analyse the effect of pyramid difficulty on the centre of pressure (COP) excursion and its inter-trial variability, and determine which parameters had strongest relationship with performance. Forty-seven acrobatic gymnasts performed five trials of back and front pyramids and a third more difficult, handstand pyramid on a force platform. Pyramids were held for 7 seconds and surface area, range, mediolateral amplitude and anteroposterior amplitude of the CoP were examined to analyse balance.The pyramid scores were obtained from qualified judges to assess the performance.Results showed higher CoP excursions and inter-trial variability during the execution of the high difficulty pyramid. Higher judges' scores were associated with lower CoP excursions in all the pyramids regardless of the difficulty. Similarly, correlation between inter-trial variability and pyramid performance were observed, although these coefficients were lower than those reported for the relationship between CoP excursion and performance. These results suggested that CoP monitoring could help coaches and gymnasts to assess the pyramid instability more accurately.

Center of pressure (COP) measurement in patients with confirmed successful outcomes following shoulder surgery show significant sensorimotor deficits

“…[ 32 ] This could be implemented into day-to-day clinical practice, if rehabilitation protocols include sensorimotor training components, balancing and strengthening components, and posture optimization. [ 33 ] Consequently, this allows the surgeon to discuss the importance of postoperative sensorimotor training with the patient, as specialized instrumentation and prolonged rehabilitation protocols are needed. With more severe impairment of static and dynamic shoulder stabilizers, a greater postoperative sensorimotor deficit can be assumed.…”

The State of the Art in Acrobatic Gymnastics: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…It is characterized by the execution of static elements, such as balances and holds, and dynamic elements, such as lifts and throws with complex somersaults and twists, executed in pairs/groups, set to music and interspersed with choreography (Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique, 2020). Since acrobatic gymnastics is only a few decades old gymnastics discipline, it is not yet much explored as a scientific research field (Floria, Gomez-Landero, & Harrison, 2015;Leal Del Ojo, Floría, Harrison, & Gómez-Landero, 2020).…”

“…The lack of collaboration between all authors from distinct Spanish institutions may be a consequence of of different major areas of interest of each group. While Network 1 has investigated the anthropometric profile (Taboada-Iglesias et al, 2016;Taboada-Iglesias, Vernetta-Santana, Alonso-Fernandez, & Gutierrez-Sanchez, 2019;Taboada-Iglesias et al, 2017) and Network 2 investigated diverse subjects, such as injury incidence, jumping ability and body image (Ariza-Vargas, Salas-Morillas, Lopez -Bedoya, & Vernetta-Santana, 2021;Vernetta-Santana, Rojas, Montosa, & López-Bedoya, 2018;Vernetta, Montosa, & López-Bedoya, 2019), Network 3 has investigated balance abilities of acrobatic gymnasts as well as the pyramids balance (Floria et al, 2015;Gómez-Landero, Leal Del Ojo, Walker, & Floría, 2021;Leal Del Ojo et al, 2020).…”

“…Regarding balance control in acrobatic gymnastics pyramids, only two studies were found (Floria et al, 2015;Leal Del Ojo et al, 2020). Due to its importance for performance, more studies are needed to understand balance control when two or more gymnasts stand together and form pyramids (Leal Del Ojo et al, 2020). This indicates a clear lack of attention for the specifics of this gymnastics discipline.…”