All body movements in the sport of gymnastics like the somersault, twist and handstand are all related with the physics of gymnastics.
Torque
Every time a gymnast does a twist or somersault on the floor, the gymnast usually performs a back handspring or a round off to achieve more speed for its execution. The force produced and the lever-like movement in twists and somersaults is called torque. More torque means more number of twists or somersaults that can be performed by the gymnast in a series or movements. Torque, in general, plays a big role in gymnastics physics in terms of rotational movements.
Somersaults
Horizontal Force: In the physics of gymnastics, horizontal force is the most common method used in initiating a somersault. This force is usually applied to the feet. Gymnasts basically throw their bodies to perform a twist or somersault and to do this, they need to gain momentum when they throw both arms and head backwards and up.
Vertical Force: A gymnast can also do a somersault by applying vertical forces to the feet. Using this force in the physics of gymnastics can allow a gymnast to do a somersault by throwing the upper body. Vertical force produces torque by leaning forward or backward before leaping.
Somersault without Torque: A gymnast can also perform a somersault without torque. However, only a limited amount of body rotation will be achieved. A torque-free somersault can be performed by a gymnast by keeping the legs as well as the body straight and by rotating the arms by the shoulders backwards. This will cause the gymnast’s body to tilt backwards making a somersault.
Twists
Twist with Torque: Basically, a torque twist is done by standing on a hard surface and then pushing the feet off the ground. Anyone can twist his or her body in 180 degrees by applying force to the feet and pushing off the floor. Same with somersaults, a gymnast can easily control force that initiates the rotation by throwing the arms in the twist’s direction before the feet leave the ground.
Twist without Torque using Angular Momentum: Momentum is also involved in the physics of gymnastics. Twists do not need torque but momentum. Assume a gymnast performing a somersault and is currently in a twisting position. His body possesses a great amount of angular momentum from the left axis to the right. This is the reason why his body is not touching the ground.
Twist without Torque and Angular Movement: This type of twist is usually referred to as the “cat twist”. Gymnasts that use the right techniques can perform body rotations without torque or rotations using head to toe axis. Just like a cat that is thrown in the air that can perform different motions before landing on the ground.
Handstands
A handstand is the most basic skill in the sport of gymnastics. If you become an expert in the handstand, other skills will follow. To do the handstand one must be able to hold the body in a “tight” position and like all other gymnastics skills it is executed in a straight line. If the line is not maintained then control will be lost.
The force of gravity is against the gymnast when performing a handstand. To avoid falling, the center of gravity must be directly applied over the hands. In addition, your back and hips should be kept straight so that gravity will not pull you down.
As a whole, the handstand is best represented by the concept of center of gravity. This skill is very hard because it is difficult to keep the center of gravity perpendicular to the ground.
Gymnastics and physics are always associated with each other. Gymnastics is a sport very exciting to watch because of different body movements. And in every movement, the physics of gymnastics is connected.
Source : www.tuckandroll.net
Torque
Every time a gymnast does a twist or somersault on the floor, the gymnast usually performs a back handspring or a round off to achieve more speed for its execution. The force produced and the lever-like movement in twists and somersaults is called torque. More torque means more number of twists or somersaults that can be performed by the gymnast in a series or movements. Torque, in general, plays a big role in gymnastics physics in terms of rotational movements.
Somersaults
Horizontal Force: In the physics of gymnastics, horizontal force is the most common method used in initiating a somersault. This force is usually applied to the feet. Gymnasts basically throw their bodies to perform a twist or somersault and to do this, they need to gain momentum when they throw both arms and head backwards and up.
Vertical Force: A gymnast can also do a somersault by applying vertical forces to the feet. Using this force in the physics of gymnastics can allow a gymnast to do a somersault by throwing the upper body. Vertical force produces torque by leaning forward or backward before leaping.
Somersault without Torque: A gymnast can also perform a somersault without torque. However, only a limited amount of body rotation will be achieved. A torque-free somersault can be performed by a gymnast by keeping the legs as well as the body straight and by rotating the arms by the shoulders backwards. This will cause the gymnast’s body to tilt backwards making a somersault.
Twists
Twist with Torque: Basically, a torque twist is done by standing on a hard surface and then pushing the feet off the ground. Anyone can twist his or her body in 180 degrees by applying force to the feet and pushing off the floor. Same with somersaults, a gymnast can easily control force that initiates the rotation by throwing the arms in the twist’s direction before the feet leave the ground.
Twist without Torque using Angular Momentum: Momentum is also involved in the physics of gymnastics. Twists do not need torque but momentum. Assume a gymnast performing a somersault and is currently in a twisting position. His body possesses a great amount of angular momentum from the left axis to the right. This is the reason why his body is not touching the ground.
Twist without Torque and Angular Movement: This type of twist is usually referred to as the “cat twist”. Gymnasts that use the right techniques can perform body rotations without torque or rotations using head to toe axis. Just like a cat that is thrown in the air that can perform different motions before landing on the ground.
Handstands
A handstand is the most basic skill in the sport of gymnastics. If you become an expert in the handstand, other skills will follow. To do the handstand one must be able to hold the body in a “tight” position and like all other gymnastics skills it is executed in a straight line. If the line is not maintained then control will be lost.
The force of gravity is against the gymnast when performing a handstand. To avoid falling, the center of gravity must be directly applied over the hands. In addition, your back and hips should be kept straight so that gravity will not pull you down.
As a whole, the handstand is best represented by the concept of center of gravity. This skill is very hard because it is difficult to keep the center of gravity perpendicular to the ground.
Gymnastics and physics are always associated with each other. Gymnastics is a sport very exciting to watch because of different body movements. And in every movement, the physics of gymnastics is connected.
Source : www.tuckandroll.net
