Science of Gymnastics: Volume 4

A new volume of The Science of Gymnastics: Data & Graphs for Science Lab has arrived! Volume 4 features 24 brightly colored graphs depicting a variety of moves on pommel horse, parallel bars, and rings, plus handstands. Many of the moves are available for viewing in a series of free videos on the publisher's YouTube site under the playlist Gymnastics.

The graph below is excerpted from the Volume 4:

Discussion Questions

1. Describe the minimum and the maximum value for each variable.
2. How high do the feet travel? Are the feet ever higher than the hips? Than the head?
3. During this sequence of moves, are the legs straight? Is the body straight? 
4. Describe the initial and final positions of the legs.
5. Can the height of the parallel bars be determined from this graph? If so, what is it?
6. If this graph shows the swings slowed by 2x, what is the timing of the actual swings?

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

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The Physics of Gymnastics: Pendulum Motion and Circles

Physics divides motion into two general types: translational (straight) motion and rotational (curved) motion. Two types of rotational motion are prevalent in gymnastics: pendulum motion (swinging) and rotation (circles). 

The graphs below, excerpted from the science lab manuals Gravity, Springs, & Collisions: Graphs of Classical Physics Experiments from Schottenbauer Publishing, show patterns of motion from pendulum motion and circular motion.

Discussion Questions

1. What variables are present in Graphs 1? In Graph 2? Is it possible to compare motion using these variables?
2. In which dimensions is there motion in the top graph? In the lower graph?
3. Qualitatively describe the motion contained in these two graphs. What are the similarities? What are the differences?
4. Which types of gymnastics moves involve pendulum motion? How are these moves different from the motion described in Graph 1? 
5. Which types of gymnastics moves involve circular motion? How are these moves different from the motion described in Graph 2?

Data such as those above can be obtained in several series of science and math books by M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D. The first set of books are multi-volume series of graphs. Selections from these lab manuals have also been collected into anthologies: 

Graphs & Data for Science Lab: Multi-Volume Series

• The Science of Gymnastics
• The Science of Athletic Training 
• The Science of Exercise Equipment 
• The Science of Yoga, Pilates, & Ballet 

Anthologies of 28 Graphs

• The Science of Gymnastics
• The Science of Summer Olympic Sports
• The Science of Physical Fitness
• The Science of Dance & Ballet
• The Science of Yoga

Young audiences may be interested in the following series of geometry workbooks on gymnastics and related topics:

Geometry Workbooks

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

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

Free Education Resources

Unbeatable Specials

With Kindle Unlimited ($9.99/month) at Amazon.com, you can read all e-books from Schottenbauer Publishing for no extra charge! Amazon offers Free 30 Day Trials of Kindle Unlimited. With this deal, trial members can read all Schottenbauer Publishing e-books free! This includes all the geometry workbooks, plus "The World in a Graph," "Alphabets of the World," textbooks on the science of music, all the e-book puzzles, and the educational novels by M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D.

Graphs Shed Light on the Science of Gymnastics

Gymnastics is an amazing sport, which can be studied scientifically in several different ways. First of all, there is a simple physics perspective on the sport: trajectory of movement, velocity, acceleration, and force. But gymnastics is much more complicated, and must include multiple aspects of the human body in order to develop a more comprehensive understanding of its movements. Biophysics data, including joint angles, electrical activity of the muscles (EMG) and heart (EKG), heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and lung capacity add additional perspective to the sport of gymnastics.

Real scientific data on gymnastics is now available to the public in a set of science lab books, The Science of Gymnastics, from Schottenbauer Publishing. These books, which are suitable for science classes from 7th grade through 12th grade, plus some college and university, offer a variety of samples of data from the above categories. The books can be integrated into math and science classes, plus physical education, health, and coaching sessions in extracurricular sports.

Several samples from the lab manuals (Copyright 2014; All Rights Reserved) are included below. 

Discussion Questions
1) For each graph, describe the range of x and y variables.
2) Which graph above provides the data most self-evident to observers of gymnastics?
3) On Graph 1, how many times does the gymnast bound? Is the force of bounding greater than the stretch jump? If so, why?
4) On Graph 2, what is greater, the electrical activity associated with dipping down or pushing up? What occurs after the dip has been completed?
5) On Graph 3, how high is the ankle during the V-Sit, in comparison to the ankle during the L-Sit? How long is the leg? What is the angle of the V-Sit?

Data such as those above can be obtained in several series of science and math books by M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D. The first set of books are multi-volume series of graphs. Selections from these lab manuals have also been collected into anthologies: 

Graphs & Data for Science Lab: Multi-Volume Series

• The Science of Gymnastics
• The Science of Athletic Training 
• The Science of Exercise Equipment 
• The Science of Yoga, Pilates, & Ballet 

     Each of these series contains multiple volumes, with the following content:

• Volume 1: Force & Acceleration
• Volume 2: Biophysics (Joint Angles, EKG/EMG, Heart Rate/BP, & Breathing)
• Volume 3: Video Analysis

Anthologies of 28 Graphs

• The Science of Gymnastics
• The Science of Summer Olympic Sports
• The Science of Physical Fitness
• The Science of Dance & Ballet
• The Science of Yoga

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

Free Education Resources

New Video Demonstrates Basic Gymnastics Moves on Homemade Equipment

A new YouTube video features basic gymnastics moves on parallel bars, pommel horse, pommel pod, and rings, modeled on homemade equipment by science writer and publisher M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D. The author, a self-taught amateur gymnast who practiced intermittently over 7 months, was 38 years old and 50 pounds overweight at the time of filming this video in September 2014.

The demonstration includes: 

• Pommel Horse
• Side Swings
• Preparation for Scissors

• Pommel Pod
• Hops (Preparation for Circles)
• Half-Circle with Windup

• Parallel Bars
• L-Sit
• Swings

• Rings
• Straight Hold
• L-Hold
• Backwards Sequence with Inverted L-Hold, Handstand, and Fold

Update (12/24/2014): New Videos

• Pommel Circles in Bucket
• L-Sit on Rings
• Parallel Bars

Update (7/30/2015): New Video

• Compiled Video with Music

These moves are similar to the ones represented in the author's books on the science of gymnastics, including:

• The Science of Gymnastics: Volumes 1-3
• The Science of Gymnastics: An Anthology
• The Science of Summer Olympic Sports: An Anthology

Related books by the author include:

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

A complete listing of sports-related books from M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D. are available at the author's blog on Sport Science Education.

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

Free Education Resources

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!

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

Free Education Resources

How to Make Homemade Gymnastics Equipment: Parallel Bars, Pommel Pod, and Pommel Horse

Gymnastics is a fantastic sport with a high price tag. Many people cannot participate in formal gymnastics due to the time and distance required to travel to a gymnasium, or the cost of purchasing equipment for home practice. Fortunately, some gymnastics equipment can be easily made from common construction equipment, allowing self-taught students to practice some simple, basic moves. A new YouTube video, How to Make Homemade Gymnastics Equipment: Parallel Bars, Pommel Pod, and Pommel Horse, shows viewers how to make gymnastics equipment out of saw horses, fence rails, parachute rope, and a few other common items. The video provides basic guidelines for construction, plus pictures (such as those shown below) and reminders to practice reasonable safety precautions.

Update: A new YouTube video by the same author demonstrates basic gymnastics exercises on these pieces of homemade equipment.

CAUTION! Gymnastics is dangerous. Homemade equipment must be made appropriately, or else additional risk of injury or death may result.

Sample Photos

Additional information on the science of gymnastics is available on the Schottenbauer Publishing website. Books include the following:

Geometry Series

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

Graphs & Data for Science Lab (Book Series)

• The Science of Gymnastics
• The Science of Athletic Training
• The Science of Exercise Equipment

Anthologies of 28 Graphs

• The Science of Gymnastics
• The Science of Summer Olympic Sports
• The Science of Athletic Training

The Schottenbauer Publishing website also offers Free Samples, information on additional athletics books, and links to webpages on sport science.

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

Free Education Resources

The Science of Gymnastics: Exploring the Possibilities!

The science and math of gymnastics are topics of new books from Schottenbauer Publishing. Presenting data from real moves collected by the science writer and publisher M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D., these books bring the "high tech" end of gymnastics to audiences everywhere!

In these books, students can enjoy learning about common moves from gymnastics, including floor, vault, high bar, rings, parallel bars, and pommel horse. One series of books, written for elementary school students, focuses on geometry. Two series of science books feature graphs and data; these illustrate common mathematical functions, plus a variety of concepts from physics and biophysics. The science books can be integrated into classes such as math, physical science, physics, physical education, and health, anywhere from 7th grade through high school, as well as some introductory college and university classes. 

The books which include gymnastics include the following:

Geometry Workbooks

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

Graphs & Data for Science Lab: Multi-Volume Series

• The Science of Gymnastics
• Volume 1: Force & Acceleration
• Volume 2: Biophysics
• Volume 3: Video Analysis

Anthologies of 28 Graphs

• The Science of Gymnastics
• The Science of Summer Olympic Sports

These books are complemented by a series of science books on other popular sports topics, including Olympic sports, athletic training, exercise equipment, yoga, and more. Topics related to gymnastics include:

Geometry Workbooks

• The Geometry of Yoga
• The Geometry of Ballet

Graphs & Data for Science Lab: Multi-Volume Series

• The Science of Athletic Training 
• Volume 1: Force & Acceleration
• Volume 2: Biophysics
• Volume 3: Video Analysis
• The Science of Exercise Equipment 
• Volume 1: Force & Acceleration
• Volume 2: Biophysics
• Volume 3: Video Analysis
• The Science of Yoga, Pilates, & Ballet 
• Volume 1: Force & Acceleration
• Volume 2: Biophysics
• Volume 3: Video Analysis

Anthologies of 28 Graphs

• The Science of Physical Fitness
• The Science of Dance & Ballet
• The Science of Yoga

Most of the books above are available in both English and German translation. The books pertaining to the geometry of Olympic sports are also available in 15 world languages. 

The same publisher offers similar books on additional popular topics, including sports, transportation, construction, environment, music, entertainment, and general physics. All of these book series are available in several formats and languages, including the following:

Geometry Workbooks

• Print & E-Book Editions
• Available in English & German
• Olympics Books Available in 15 Languages

Graphs & Data for Science Lab: Multi-Volume Series

• Print Editions
• Available in English & German

Anthologies of 28 Graphs

• Print Editions
• English Only

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

Free Education Resources

Vendors

Amazon & Worldwide Affiliates

Barnes & Noble

Books-a-Million

CreateSpace

CreateSpace Wholesale

MusicaNeo Digial Sheet Music

Zazzle Art, Posters, & Memorabilia

Unbeatable Specials

With Kindle Unlimited ($9.99/month) at Amazon.com, you can read all e-books from Schottenbauer Publishing for no extra charge! Amazon offers Free 30 Day Trials of Kindle Unlimited. With this deal, trial members can read all Schottenbauer Publishing e-books free! This includes all the geometry workbooks, plus "The World in a Graph," "Alphabets of the World," textbooks on the science of music, all the e-book puzzles, and the educational novels by M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D.