| The
purpose of this study was to examine reaction forces transmitted to
the upper extremities of high-level gymnasts during the round-off
phase of the Yurchenko vault. A secondary purpose of this study was
to compare reaction forces during the Yurchenko vault to reaction
forces observed in a tumbling pass during the floor exercise. Ten
high-level, female gymnasts volunteered to participate. Conditions
of the independent variable were the Yurchenko vault and floor exercise;
dependent variables were peak vertical and peak anterior-posterior
reaction forces. Each participant performed three trials of both conditions
with the trail hand contacting a force platform. Vertical and anterior-posterior
reaction forces, normalized to body weight, were greater (p < 0.05)
during the round-off phase of the Yurchenko vault (2.38) than during
the floor exercise round-off (2.15). Vertical reaction forces during
the round-off phase of the Yurchenko vault and floor exercise round-off
are similar to reaction forces transmitted to upper extremities during
other gymnastic skills and ground reaction forces transmitted to lower
extremities while running and walking at various speeds. Results of
this study reveal a need for further research considering methods
aimed at reducing reaction forces transmitted to the upper extremities
during the Yurchenko vault and floor exercise.
KEY
WORDS: Gymnastics injuries, biomechanics, vaulting kinetics,
ground reaction forces.
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