Fundamental Studies on Learning and Instructing of Gymnastics : an Analysis of the Learning Process of the Astride Vault on a Vaulting Horse

Abstract

The present study was designed to examine important technical factors in acquirement of the astride vault using the vaulting horse. Elementary school boys practiced vaulting according to a stepwise program designed by Shoji Kokubo. Their learning process was followed using 16mm cinematography and electromyography. The present results showed that the technical points given below might be of great important to succeed in the astride vault. (i) Considering the discharge patterns of vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and gluteus maximus, a strong take off motion should be performed to raise the center of gravity of the body. (ii) To effectively elevate the center of gravity, the thrusting of the hands on the vaulting horse is essential in the first half of the hand contact phase, requiring strong activities of triceps brachii and anterior deltoid. (iii) To drive the body forward, thrusting the vaulting horse backward is important in the second half of the hand contact phase and this motion is produced by the activity of latissimus dorsi. The stages in the stepwise program of Shoji Kokubo involve the three above factors necessary to acquire the astride vault. In particular, practicing the vault with an extra stack three blocks lower placed in front of the regular stack is considered the most effective stage, because of it includes all three factors mentioned above for succeeding in the astride vault.