KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF SOME BACKWARD ACROBATIC JUMPS

The aim of our investigation was to determine kinematic parameters of some acrobatic jumps backward, related to the difficulty categories in the current men's FIG Code of points. Ten male gymnasts performed ten different acrobatic jumps backward during the European championship in 1996 in Koebenhaven (Denmark). The analyzed elements were stretched salto backward, stretched salto backward with 1/1 turn, stretched salto backward with 3/2 turn, stretched salto backward with 2/1 turn, double salto backward tucked, double salto backward tucked with 1/1 turn, double salto backward tucked with 2/1 turn, double salto backward stretched, double salto backward stretched with 1/1 turn and triple salto backward tucked. According to the results we can not define the difficulty categories, but the data are quite informative for further investigations, comparison with other similar types of sports and also for coaches for methodic purposes.