KINEMATIC AND KINETIC-ANALYSIS OF THE OVERGRIP GIANT SWING ON THE UNEVEN PARALLEL BARS

Fifteen upper level USGF female gymnasts were filmed performing an ove rgrip giant swing on the uneven parallel bars. Based on judges' evalua tions, the top 5 gymnasts were placed into a high-skill group and the bottom 5 gymnasts in a less skilled group. The groups were compared on selected kinematic and kinetic variables in the four quadrants of thi s skill. There were significant differences (p<.05) between the groups for the peak resultant linear velocity of the ankle and hip. There we re also significant differences for several segmental velocities and a ccelerations (foot, shank, and arm). These differences indicate that t he more highly skilled gymnasts were better able to produce faster mov ing body segments to perform the giant swing with less deviations in f orm. The faster moving segments were a result of successfully performi ng a ''tap'' during Quadrant 2. Gymnasts who were able to extend their hips quickly after clearing the low bar were in a position to acceler ate their lower segments during Quadrant 3 by slightly piking at the h ips.