Authors
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Elizabeth J. Bradshaw
Centre for Sport Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand - Vanessa Rice
School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
- Raul Landeo
School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, Australia
Abstract
Inertial measurement units (IMU) provide the opportunity to measure and monitor loads during gymnastics training on a variety of visco elastic surfaces. Previously these loads have been estimated from force platform (FP) testing of discrete skills such as somersault landings. This study examined the relationship between peak impact loads measured with an IMU and a FP . A 9 kg slam ball with a fixed IMU was dropped from various heights (40, 60, 80 cm) and surfaces (no mat, rubber, 3-10 cm deep gymnastics mats). There was a significant difference between the two measures for all conditions (p=0.028), except for the 40 cm drop onto the rigid force platform surface. IMUs enable the true load on the gymnast to be measured when completing skills on less rigid, visco elastic surfaces, which may be lower or higher than what has been previously estimated using force platforms.
