The run-up velocity and jumping ground reaction force directly influence gymnasts’ ability to perform more difficult manoeuvres and win competitions on vault. However, the variables influencing them among elite female gymnasts remain inadequately understood and warrant detailed investigation. This study aimed to analyse critical variables including run-up velocity and jumping ground reaction force, and to compare these factors across different vault types while further exploring the correlations among them. The study hypothesized that there are significant differences in run-up velocity and jumping ground reaction force across vaulting types, and that these differences will affect athletes’ performance. To test this hypothesis, the study analyzed data from performance tests on 16 elite Chinese female gymnasts, focusing on vaulting run-up velocity and jumping ground reaction force. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and binary logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the relationships between the variables. The study found significant differences in interval run-up velocities between the Front handspring vaults and the Tsukahara vaults, particularly before the last 10 m (
p
= 0.04) and the last 5 m (
p
= 0.03). Specifically, the Front handspring vaults had higher velocities before the last 10 m, while the Tsukahara vaults had higher velocities within the last 5 m. Differences were also noted in the lengths of the penultimate (
p
= 0.03), last (
p
= 0.01), and hurdle steps (
p
= 0.04). The jumping ground reaction force showed a strong negative correlation with run-up velocity before the last 10 m (ρ = -0.469,
p
< 0.01) and the last 5 m (ρ = − 0.604,
p
< 0.01). However, no significant associations were found with the 25 m run-up velocity (
p
= 0.346). Significant differences were observed in the hip joint angle (
p
= 0.001) and the trunk-to-ground angle (
p
= 0.001), but not in the landing angle (
p
= 0.435) and take-off angle (
p
= 0.594) during the take-off phase. These findings suggest that revising the run-up rhythm and improving pedaling techniques could contribute to the successful performance of more difficult vaulting maneuvers for female elite gymnasts in China.
