WAG when gymnastics and science collide

[mommyof1]

http://www.wired.com/2011/03/physics-of-the-kip/

The main conclusion is:

"The important point is that the steepest part of the total energy curve is when she is both moving her legs back down and moving her arms down. This brings up a very key point. I had originally assumed (because I really don’t know that much about gymnastics) that this move was mostly in the legs and stomach. Now I think there is a big part in the shoulders. The gymnast really has to have good upper body strength to push her arms down (and increase her center of mass) at the end of this move."

Any thoughts on the accuracy of this analysis? Unfortunately, it does not answer the age-old question of when Suzie will start kipping.

 

[Iwannabemargo]

Great article, love the physics

 

[GymDad9.9]

Great stuff. The analysis took me back to 11th Grade Physics!

 

[Flyaway]

I remember reading this awhile ago and wondering how in the world dd was EVER going to accomplish this. Amazingly she did!

 

[duyetanh]

Interesting read, to be sure. And the dfk comes when it comes...and goes....and comes...and goes....