3-D Analysis of Yurchenko Vaults Performed by Female Gymnasts During the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games

Two of the most frequently performed vaults in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul were selected for 3-D cine-photogrammetry analysis: the Yurchenko layout with full twist and the Yurchenko layout. The performances included 20 vaults with the highest performance scores: 10 Yurchenko layout with Ml twist (Y LF ) and 10 Yurchenko layout (Y L ) vaults, which were performed in the women’s team optional competitions. The Y LF group earned higher performance scores than the Y L group. Average vaulting times were similar for the groups, but the Y LF group showed shorter board and horse contact times and longer postflight times. The projectile motion variables were critical for better performance in the Y LF group. Higher vertical velocity at horse takeoff was achieved mainly by minimizing its (Vv) loss during horse contact. The Y L group showed the importance of angular momentum for better performance, with the normalized angular momentum during postflight being the critical variable for the Y L vault.