Video

Entry Phase

The entry phase has three main positions.  The first position is standing perpendicular to the floor, feet together and arms at full flexion.  As the gymnast moves to the second position their shoulders will first go through extension then hyperextension. At this time their knees will bend and their hips will be pushed back into flexion. When the gymnasts’ prepares to take off they will jump backward and upward so that their hips are in hyperextension.  This will transfer the gymnast into the second phase called the flight phase.

 

Position 1-

Shoulder Girdle:

Frontal Elevation using the middle and upper trapezius, rhomboids and levator scapulae

Shoulder Joint:

Flexion by concentricly contracting shoulder flexors using the anterior deltoid, upper pectoralis major.

Hip Joint:

Medial extension of the hip using the adductor magnus, gracilis. Psoterior extension of the hip using the semitendinosus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus.

Position 2-

Shoulder Girdle:

Downward Frontal Rotation using pectoralis minor and rhomboids

Shoulder Joint:

Extension by concentricly contracting shoulder extensors

Hip joint:

Flexsion of the hip using the iliacus, psoas major and
minor, rectus femoris, sartorius, pectineus, gluteus

minimus, tensor fasciae latae

Hip girdle:

Anterior pelvic rotation: anterior movement of the upper pelvis; the iliac crest tilts forward in a sagittal plane; anterior tilt; accomplished by hip flexion and/or lumbar extension.

Position 3-

Repeat Position 1

Flight Phase

The flight phase has one correct position.  The gymnast will look like they are doing a bridge in the air.  Their body is in flight.  They are stretching and reaching as far back as they can and extending their entire body.

                                    

Position 1-
Shoulder Girdle:

Frontal Elevation using the middle and upper trapezius, rhomboids and levator scapulae

Shoulder Joint:

Flexion by concentricly contracting shoulder flexors using the anterior deltoid, upper pectoralis major

Hip Joint:

Medial extension of the hip using the adductor magnus, gracilis.  Posterior extension of the hip using the semitendinosus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus.

Hip Girdle:

Posterior pelvic rotation: posterior movement of the upper pelvis; the iliac crest tilts backwards in a sagittal plane; posteroir tilt; accomplished by hip extension and/or lumbar flexion.

Impact Phase

After the flight phase comes the impact phase.  During the impact phase the gymnast makes contact with their hands on the floor.  The elbow is then functioning as a weight-bearing joint.   When  performing a back handspring “research has shown that when the elbow is fully extended can produce joint compression forces of as much as two times body weight” (Hall, 209).  Once the gymnast feels the impact the rest of their body must continue over head so that they can successfully complete the back handspring. 

Position 1:

Shoulder Girdle:

Frontal Elevation using the middle and upper trapezius, rhomboids and levator scapulae

Shoulder Joint:

Flexion by concentricly contracting shoulder flexors using the anterior deltoid, upper pectoralis major.

Hip Joint:

Medial extension of the hip using the adductor magnus, gracilis. Psoterior extension of the hip using the semitendinosus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus.

Exit Phase

The exit phase is the final phase to completing a back handspring.  There are three positions during this phase.  The first position is when the gymnasts’ legs are traveling downward to the floor.  At this time the hips are snapping downward to the floor.  The shoulders are still in full flexion and the knees are in extension.  Once the feet make contact with the floor the knees are in flexion.  The hips are in flexion and the shoulders remain in full flexion. Upon finishing the back handspring the knees and hips are in extension and the arms are in full flexion.

Position 1:
Shoulder joint:

Medial half of anterior surface of clavicle using the pectoralis major upper fibers and the Anterior lateral third of clavicle using the deltoid anterior fibers.

Shoulder girdle:

flexion using the anterior deltoid, upper pectoralis major and

downward rotation using the pectoralis minor and rhomboids.

Position 2:
Shoulder Girdle:

Frontal Elevation using the middle and upper trapezius, rhomboids and levator scapulae

Shoulder Joint:

Flexion by concentricly contracting shoulder flexors
using the anterior deltoid, upper pectoralis major.

Hip joint:

Flexsion of the hip using the iliacus, psoas major and minor, rectus femoris, sartorius, pectineus, gluteus minimus, tensor fasciae latae

Hip girdle:

Anterior pelvic rotation: anterior movement of the upper pelvis; the iliac crest tilts forward in a sagittal plane; anterior tilt; accomplished by hip flexion and/or lumbar extension.

Position 3:

Same as Entry Phase, position 1