Vaulting places considerable load on the upper limbs which can be associated with pain and injury. This study aims to use forearm-mounted IMUs to quantify forearm segmental loading and symmetry when performing foundation to advanced-level vaults. Twelve artistic gymnasts (female, n= 6; male, n= 6) wore bilateral forearm-mounted IMUs while completing their vault training sessions. The peak resultant acceleration (PRA) for the leading and non leading forearms during hand contact was calculated. Descriptive statistics (median and IQR) and symmetry index scores (SI%) were calculated between the lead and non-lead forearms. High asymmetrical loading during vault contact was identified for some Yurchenko (SI%= 3.7-37.6%), Handspring (SI%= 7.7-21.0%) and Tsukahara vaults (SI%= 2.0-28.8%). Limb asymmetries varied between skills and gymnasts, highlighting that individual screening is needed to identify gymnasts with higher injury risk.
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