The aim of the study was to compare key kinematic parameters of two difficult groups of vaults performed by elite male gymnasts during a World Cup competition. The participants were twenty top-level male gymnasts who participated in the 2010 and 2011 World Cup competition in Czech Republic. The gymnasts performed Handspring and Tsukahara type vaults with a 5.2 level of difficulty. For the 3D movement analysis two digital camcorders with a frame rate of 50 Hz were used. The data was digitized by the SIMI MOTION software. To establish the differences between the means, the effect size (ES) was calculated. Results revealed significant technique differences. Although, both types of vaults are awarded the same initial points for difficulty, the Handspring group requires larger amplitude in the second flight phase and can be considered more difficult to perform.
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