Does the Impact Force Depend on Arm Position and Run-up Speed during Forward Handspring on the Vault in Elite Gymnasts? A Pilot Study

Background: This pilot study's aim was to examine the relationship between impact force, arm position and run-up speed, as well as to test new methods of measuring direct impact force on the vault while performing a forward handspring. (2) Methods: Data were collected from three elite, male artistic gymnasts (age 28.7±3.6 years, body weight 66.7±4.4kg; body height 169.7±3.2cm; experience 22±5.1 years), who performed two trials of the forward handspring. A high-speed camera, photocells and force plate were used to obtain and analyze the mechanical characteristics of the vault. Impact force (N), arm angle (degrees) and run-up speed (m/s) parameters underwent normality testing via the Shapiro-Wilks test, and bivariate correlations were used to explore relationships between them (p<0.05). (3) Results: Determined correlations between impact force and arm angle (r=0.02; p=0.97) and between arm angle and run-up speed (r=-0.45; p=0.37) have revealed non-significant relationship. Likewise, similar result was observed between impact force and run-up speed (r=0.44; p=0.38). (4) Conclusion: Non-significant correlations were observed, and new set-up (force plate-vault) for measuring maximal vertical impact force encountered in gymnastics vaulting showed consistent values with each vault performance, enabling researchers to measure the precise load magnitude..