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The crucial criteria when assessing technical performance in artistic gymnastics is the higher elevation of the gymnast's body and a stable landing (i.e., stick-landing). The purpose of this study was to compare kinetic and kinematic parameters during the landing phase of standing back somersaults (SBS) following three technical arm-swing performed during the preparatory phase in high-level male gymnasts. The three different arm-swing pertain to three "gymnastics schools", i.e., Russian, Chinese, and Romanian. Six high-level male gymnasts participated in this study. Three arm-swing with different angles (i.e., SBS 270° , SBS 180° , and SBS 90° ) were randomly performed. A 3D kinetic and kinematic analysis was conducted. Results showed significant variation in the landing angle ( p = 0.009) across the three arm-swing techniques. The SBS 90° arm-swing resulted in the closest angle to the vertical. Additionally, the SBS 90° arm-swing technique induced the lowest horizontal and vertical force values upon landing compared to the other arm-swing techniques (SBS 270° : p = 0.023 and 0.009, respectively; SBS 180° : p = 0.004 and 0.080, respectively). The same was noted for the horizontal velocity ( p = 0.021) with the lowest values noted for the SBS 90° arm-swing technique. However, the best opening angle was observed during the SBS 270° technique, since it presented the best vertical displacement. In conclusion, the SBS with a SBS 90° arm-swing seems to favor a better absorption of the ground reaction force upon landing by reducing the intensity of the impact with the ground and by affording a landing angle closer to the vertical in high-level male gymnasts.

Background: This study aimed to examine the reliability and sensitivity of a change of direction deficit (CoDD) and to establish its relationship with linear sprint speed., Methods: In total, 89 prepubertal male soccer players participated in this study (age = 11.7 ± 1.2 years, maturity offset = -2.4 ± 1.0). Participants performed the 505 CoD speed test and the 20 m linear sprint speed test with a split interval at 5 m and 10 m. The CoDD was calculated as the mean 505 CoD time-the mean 10 to 20 m time interval. To evaluate the reliability of CoDD, the 505 CoD speed test, and 20 m linear sprint speed were performed twice, one week apart. The sensitivity of CoDD was identified by comparing the values of the typical error of measurement (TEM) and smallest worthwhile change (SWC)., Results: Results of the reliability analysis indicated an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3.1) < 0.50 (0.47) and a TEM expressed as the coefficient of variation > 5% (10.55%). The sensitivity analysis showed that the ability of the CoDD measure to detect small performance changes is "marginal" (TEM (0.12) > SWC0.2 (0.04)). However, good absolute and relative reliability were observed for the 505 CoD speed test (ICC3.1 = 0.75; TEM < 5%). Alike CoDD, the ability of the 505 CoD speed test to detect small performance changes was rated as "marginal" (TEM (0.07 s) > SWC0.2 (0.04 s)). The CoDD revealed a large association with the 505 CoD speed test (r = 0.71). However, non-significant associations were detected between the CoDD and 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m linear sprint speed intervals (r = 0.10 to 0.16, all p > 0.05). Likewise, non-significant correlations between the 505 CoD speed test and 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m linear sprint speed intervals were observed (r = 0.14 to 0.20, all p > 0.05)., Conclusions: The CoDD displayed poor reliability and limited ability to detect small changes in performance in prepubertal male soccer players. Due to its limited practical utility, practitioners are advised not to consider CoDD scores during the assessment of prepubertal male soccer players.