Graphing a Simple Gymnastics Move

What does a simple gymnastics move look like in a graph? A new video from Schottenbauer Publishing shows how a simple head roll can be graphed, using technology from Vernier.

The slides below, excerpted from the video, show the critical components of graphing. 

First, the video shows the motion of the head, with the corresponding graph:

Next, the video shows the motion of the hip, with the corresponding graph:

Finally, the video superimposes both graphs:

Discussion Questions

1. Which part is higher at the beginning? In the middle? At the end?
2. Which part moves the most during the video? Describe the motion in words.
3. Which part moves the most in the x axis? In the y axis? 
4. Does the graph capture the inversion of the head? If so, how?
5. Does the graph capture the rotation of the hip? If so, how?

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Science of Gymnastics Memorabilia

Celebrate sport science with memorabilia from Zazzle! Colorful graphs from Schottenbauer Publishing are featured on these mugs, magnets, keychains, & postcards. Direct links are included below:

     

A variety of other sport science collections are also available from Schottenbauer Publishing on Zazzle, which features regular sales on most items.  


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Parallel Bars: Coordinated Video and Graph

What do gymnastic moves look like in a graph? Consider the following sample, excerpted from The Science of Gymnastics, Volume 4 from Schottenbauer Publishing:

The corresponding video, which includes moves on pommel horse, parallel bars, and rings, is included below:

Discussion Questions

1. How many swings are completed?
2. Describe the minimum and the maximum positions of the feet, knees, and hips.
3. What body part reaches the highest point in the graph?
4. Redraw the graph in real time (2x).

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Force & Acceleration in Gymnastics

Common gymnastics events can demonstrate the relationship between force and acceleration. Consider the following graphs, excerpted from The Science of Gymnastics: Volume 1 from Schottenbauer Publishing. Although both graphs demonstrate a similar phenomenon, these data were recorded on separate occasions.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the maximum force in the first graph? The second graph?
2. In the first graph, how long is the person in the air for each jump?
3. What is the maximum acceleration in the second graph (assuming that the x axis is vertical)?
4. In the first graph, where does the person begin? (a) On the floor, (b) On the force plate.
5. In the first graph, where does the person end? (a) On the floor, (b) On the force plate.
6. In theory, which requires more force? (a) Stretch Jump, (b) Bounding. 
7. In the first graph, which shows the most force? (a) Stretch Jump, (b) All Bounds, (c) Final Bound.
8. In the second graph, which shows the most force? (a) Stretch Jump, (b) All Bounds, (c) Final Bound.
9. In theory, which requires more acceleration? (a) Stretch Jump, (b) Bounding. 
10. In the second graph, which shows the most acceleration? (a) Stretch Jump, (b) All Bounds, (c) Final Bound.
11. In the second graph, what is the maximum height of the bounding?
12. Do these two graphs show similar technique? If not, describe the differences in words.

Additional graphs of force and acceleration, are available in the same volume, The Science of Gymnastics: Volume 1 from Schottenbauer Publishing. Similar physics data is also available in Volume 1 of several other lab manual series, including The Science of Athletic Training, The Science of Exercise Equipment, The Science of Yoga, Pilates, & Ballet, and more.

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The Science of Gymnastics: An Anthology of 28 Graphs

The Science of Gymnastics: An Anthologyof 28 Graphs for Kids, Teens, & Curious Adults by M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D., provides a unique set of data for students of math, science, and gymnastics. Containing a selection of graphs from a longer series by the same author, the book provides students with various types of data for comparison and contrast. Graphs represent a variety of motions typical of elementary gymnastics moves, including:

• Floor
• Vault
• Parallel Bars (Parallettes)
• Pommel Horse (Trainer & Pod)
• Rings
• High Bar

The 28 graphs include the following types of data, from the following positions:

Force Plate

• Plank Position
• Floor Hurdle
• Chassé

Acceleration

• Arm Motions
• Crab Walk
• Tuck Jump
• Vault
• Handstand
• Salto and Handstand on Rings
• Side Swings on Pommel Trainer

Video Analysis

• Quarter Circle on Pommel Pod
• Half Circle with Flare on Pommel Pod
• Side Swings on Pommel Trainer
• Swing to L-Sit on Parallettes
• Salto
• Rings Sequence (Upper Body & Lower Body on Separate Graphs)

Goniometer

• Dip on Large Parallettes
• Simulated Pushup in Handstand Position
• Standing to Deep Squat on Floor
• Standing to Tuck on Large Parallettes

Electromyogram

• Forward Support
• Dip on Large Parallettes
• Pull-Up on Large Parallettes, Neutral Grip
• Pull-Up on Rings, Neutral Grip
• Side Swings on Pommel Trainer

Spirometer

• Normal Breathing
• Breathing with Inappropriate Holding of Breath after Inhale

As with the main series of graphs, this book provides material for a flexible combination of lesson plans. The most basic skills include graph-reading, while more complex skills include comparison and contrast, critical thinking skills, and mathematical modeling.

The Science of Gymnastics: An Anthologyof 28 Graphs for Kids, Teens, & Curious Adults by M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D. is for sale from CreateSpace wholesale and major internet retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and more!

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