A Comparative Analysis of Kinematic Variables Between the Dimidov and Healy Skills: Biomechanical Implications for Routine Construction on the Parallel Bars

الملخص

The purpose of this study is to compare kinematic parameters of accomplishment of the skills Dimidov and Healy when performed on the parallel bars, and find out biomechanical aspects for using this exercise in artistic gymnastics during training sessions. The descriptive method with a comparative approach was adopted. The physical characteristics of the research sample were five advanced-level male gymnasts who were able to perform both skills. High speed cameras were used in conjunction with the Kinovea motion analysis software to extract relevant kinematic variables: shoulder, elbow and hip joint angles, linear velocity, angular velocity, angular acceleration, trajectory of body's center of mass, and movement time, among other variables, across different phases of the performance. Execution of both skills (Dimidov and Healy) was split into three stages – preparatory, main and final – in order to study the mechanics of each stage of the skills separately. Several kinematic variables in the results showed that there were significant differences between the two skills, at least statistically: angular velocity, angular acceleration, and movement time. The Dimidov skill had higher angular velocities and angular accelerations, shorter movement time and had a transitional nature, requiring higher angular momentum to be generated in a short time window. In contrast, Healy's best skill showed longer movement times and relatively low angular velocity and acceleration values, suggesting that he relies on the continuity of movement and rotation control of rotational inertia in longitudinal axis rotation. The kinematic differences between the movements in the Dimidov and Healy skills may also have important implications for the functional role of each of these skills in a parallel bars piece, and, therefore, highlight the importance of using the skills in accordance with their kinematic properties to maximize the efficiency of movement production and, consequently, technical performance.