Kinetic Analysis of Backward Giant Swing on Parallel Bars

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinetic characteristicsof backward giant swing on parallel bars (PB) compared with thoseof backward giant swing on horizontal bar (HB). The subjects weresix male skillful university gymnasts. Their performances of PB andHB were videotaped with a digital video camera to calculate the knee,shoulder, and hip joint angle, joint torque, joint power, and mechanicalwork from two-dimensional coordination of the body landmarks. Themechanical negative work done by hip extension torque leading tohang phase of PB were larger than those of HB. During upward phasefrom hang, the shoulder extension torque of PB was exerted longerperiod of time than HB, with the result that mechanical positivework done by shoulder extension torque of PB was larger than thatof HB. For effective training of backward giant swing on parallelbars, the coach has to recognize their characteristic differencesfrom those of horizontal bar.