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?

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

Free Education Resources

The Geometry of Gymnastics

Geometry is essential for gymnastics. Take a moment to write down a few ways in which geometry affects the precision of the sport. 

Discussion Questions

1. What data is necessary to collect in order to understand the role of geometry in gymnastic events? 
2. What spatial perspectives and/or mathematical planes are important for precision? 

The cover of The Geometry of Gymnastics, to the right above, features a gymnast in action. 

Discussion Questions

1. What angles can be measured on the diagram, in order to understand the accuracy of technique?  
2. Is any essential information missing from the picture? What is necessary in order to measure that information?

Geometry diagrams featuring gymnastics are available in the following books from Schottenbauer Publishing:

Geometry Workbooks

• The Geometry of Gymnastics
• The Geometry of Summer Olympic Sports

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

Free Education Resources