The Mathematics of Movement

Hello! I was just curious, in one of Cory's emails concerning movement,  he stated that:

"A back handspring alone requires over 7x bodyweight each time your hands or feet impact the ground."

I was wondering how one could mathematically show this, and similar statements about gymnastics in general.

Thanks!

Awesome Zach! I can't find a link for the book, would you mind giving me one?

Thanks!

Oh cool, I think I'll grab a copy of that! Looks like a really interesting read (and motivation to get better at basic math again)!

Zach Armijo said:

 

http://www.amazon.com/The-Science-Gymnastics-Mon%C3%A8m-Jemni/dp/0415549914

Do you know what the prerequirement in terms of knowledge of mechanics and physiology for this book is?

ChrisUK said:

Oh cool, I think I'll grab a copy of that! Looks like a really interesting read (and motivation to get better at basic math again)!

If this book is intended at physics of biomechanics even on an intermediate level I am not sure you can rely on just basic math 

Zach Armijo said:

The book is easily digestible for most. 

for most literate people... lol

If anyone is interested in the motor learning side of things, I like the book Motor Learning and Control: Concepts and Applications by Magill & Anderson. It's not gymnastics specific but you can draw connections easily by yourself.

Also, motor learning tends to be a bit more difficult than physiology, so the text is a bit more difficult than the book Zach mentioned but there is no prerequisite.

The GB Library Series is in development! ;-)

GB library series... I like that.

Here is a recommended book if someone is interested in the gross anatomy visuals of the topics that may be addressed in some of the other books. This one got me through grad school and is still nice to have around.

There is a pdf. version of Frank H. Netter, M.D. Atlas of Human Anatomy, as well.

Does the The Science of Gymnastics have calculation for the forces required for Front Levers, Crosses, etc.?

I searched on Amazon and only found a front and back horizontal hang, which I guess is the same thing. It just listed a table of the average hold times for sub-Elite gymnasts.

I didn't really understand the table because it listed Female front horizontal holds avg 20s vs men 5s. 
They must be different holds. 

You should be able to derive those forces with some pretty basic newtonian physics understanding.