Skating

Abstract

Technical evaluation in the sport of figure skating is characterized by a subjective marking system. Figure skating judges are responsible for quickly and accurately discerning the quality of technical elements as well as assigning a score to the overall aesthetic appearance of a performance. Traditionally, overall placement marks are assigned for the entire performance; however, the landing of a jump is widely acknowledged as one of the most critical elements of a skater's program. Therefore, our aims were to identify the biomechanical variables that contribute to technical success in executing landings and to establish whether landings rated as biomechanically optimal are also awarded high technical merit scores by judges. Ten nationally ranked competitive figure skaters were asked to execute on-ice, double and triple revolution jumps and to try to land the jumps void of technical faults within a calibrated space. Data were collected at 60 Hz using standard three-dimensional videography. Data reduction was done using the APAS system (Ariel Dynamics Inc). Concurrently, videotapes were viewed and evaluated by 42 accredited judges to determine the perceived technical quality of the landing performances. Judges were asked to evaluate the landing phase of each jump against a landing criteria document. A comparative criteria model was developed to facilitate an assessment of excellence in landing performances through both empirical and subjective analyses. Results of these analyses were twofold: a biomechanical profile of on-ice landings was obtained, and on-ice jump landing strategies rated by empirical evaluations were in agreement with judge's perceptions of the same performances.

Biomechanics of the Axel Paulsen Figure Skating Jump

“…It took him twice as long to stabilise in 2A and four times longer in 3A compared to 1A. This large differences was probably caused by the increasing impact forces in multiple rotation jumps, which was found by Lockwood in his research on landing forces in figure skating [11]. Landing forces can be decreased by using articulated boots, as demonstrated by Bruening and Richards [9].…”

The effects of new Edea and Graf figure skating boots and used Graf boots on the kinetics and kinematics of landing after simulated on-ice jumps

“…The increased TPF did not decrease the PF inside the NG skate compared to NE skates. According to Lockwood, Gervais & McCreary (2006), Porter et al (2007), Gribble &Robinson (2009) andVan Der Worp et al (2014), the longer TPF may also indicate a safer landing strategy improving the landing stability and, therefore, protecting from potential injury. The presented kinetic and kinematic results suggest that ankle flexion and ROM may play a more important role in reducing the PF during the landing impact than the knee.…”

The Hyperflexible Hip

“…The dancer, gymnast, figure skater, and cheer athletes generally start at a very early age. 23 , 34 , 55 As they progress to higher levels, they typically train for multiple hours per day during adolescence. 23 , 67 , 89 Furthermore, females participate in these sports in much greater numbers than males.…”

“… 25 , 95 These sports all emphasize jumping or leaping, with landing strategies involving hip control and hip flexion. 31 , 38 , 55 , 68 Finally, tendinopathy and muscular imbalances can also be problematic, independent of bone structure or secondary to compensatory patterns related to underlying bony anatomy. Both male and female dancers have well-studied strength imbalances with stronger hip abductors and weaker adductors 31 and, occasionally, side-to-side strength differences.…”