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Functional relationships between gaze behavior and movement kinematics when performing high bar dismounts – an exploratory study

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Heinen T., Velentzas K., Vinken P. M.

Human Movement

2012

vol. 13

issue 3

218-224

Purpose. The aims of this study were, first, to investigate visual spotting and, second, to explore the functional relationships between movement structure and gaze behavior in gymnasts as they perform preparatory giant swings (traditional and scooped technique) and dismounts (single straight and double tucked salto) with increasing difficulty on the high bar. It was predicted that visual spotting would occur in all experimental tasks. Methods. Relationships between gaze behavior and movement kinematics were explored to provide a clearer picture of how gaze is interconnected with the kinematics of dismounts on the high bar. For this purpose, kinematic parameters were measured with an optical movement-analysis system while gaze behavior was measured by using a portable and wireless eye-tracking system. Results. The measurement of gaze behavior revealed that gymnasts use visual spotting in all three tasks showing fixations throughout the whole movement. Each task was furthermore characterized by a sequence of visual fixations that was thought to serve specific movement goals. In particular, fixations during the downswing phase of the preparatory giant swings were significantly correlated with the movement phases when beginning the hip extension and flexion in the “kick through” as well as with the athlete’s distance of flight during the dismounts. Conclusions. The findings suggest that gymnasts can use visual spotting during preparatory giant swings and dismounts on the high bar and that there are functional relationships between different fixations and specific movement goals.

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF ELASTIC TAPING ON DANCER’S POSTURAL CONTROL PERFORMANCE

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Vinken P. M., Hennig L., Heinen T.

Central European Journal of Sport Sciences and Medicine

2014

vol. 8

issue 4

61-72

It was explored whether three different applications of elastic tape on the lower limbs of active, healthy dancers influence their postural control performance. 15 active, healthy dancers randomly performed demi-pointes and sissone ouvertes on a force platform in four experimental conditions: 1. no tape application, 2. ankle joint tape application, 3. leg muscle tape application, and 4. control tape application. Four kinetic parameters were calculated in order to represent postural control performance: 1) variable error of force magnitude in forward-backward direction, 2) variable error of force magnitude in side to side direction. 3) peak impact force during landing phase and 4) episodes of overall duration. Results revealed a task-dependent performance-enhancing effect and an application-specific performance-influencing effect concerning vertical ground reaction force measurements. It is concluded that the application of elastic tape for healthy, active dancers may on the one hand enhance parameters of postural control, whereas the same elastic tape application may hamper other performance related aspects of typical modern and classical ballet dance routines. Conflicting scientific results may thus indicate that generalized effects are controversial and positive influences in one specific characteristic can induce a decrease in another performance influencing characteristic.

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1 Central European Journal of Sport Sciences and Medicine

1 Human Movement

1 2014

1 2012

2 Heinen T.

2 Vinken P. M.

1 Hennig L.

1 Velentzas K.

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Functional relationships between gaze behavior and movement kinematics when performing high bar dismounts – an exploratory study

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF ELASTIC TAPING ON DANCER’S POSTURAL CONTROL PERFORMANCE