Peak vertical ground reaction forces were found to be significantly lower in the spotted standing back handsprings than in the other three back handspring conditions (p<0.01). There were no significant differences in vertical forces between the other three back handspring conditions. These relationships are illustrated in Figure 1. The mean for the 4 gymnasts under the four conditions for vertical force was 3.57BW (SD=0.80BW). Although approaching only conventional levels of significance, the two back handsprings utilizing the inclined mat and the round-off back handsprings produced greater linear momentum in the direction of progression than the assisted back handsprings. Contact time on the hands was found to be significantly higher for the standing back handsprings (1 & 2) when compared to conditions 3 and 4, which included a round-off. Kinematic descriptors related to body position at foot and hand contact did not appear to be significantly different across conditions however, based on the angle of incidence at hand contact, the inclined back handspring had gymnasts landing in a more vertical position.
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