Men's artistic gymnastics: a new high bar-gymnast model with sensitivity analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this work1 was to develop a new 2D gymnast - high bar model with horizontal bar endpoint dynamics included. To this end, a three-spring high bar model was extended with a 5 segment gymnast model followed by validation and sensitivity analysis. Validation over a complete giant swing was favourable (bar position rms errors < 0.017m , centre of mass angular position rms error < 11° ). Single parameter perturbations (10% ) caused little deterioration in model performance (lower half of giant swing, - bar position rms errors < 0.006m, arms' angle rms error < 0.9° ). Combinations of parameter perturbations gave bar position rms errors < 0.008m and arms' angle rms error < 1.8° . Model performance was most sensitive to errors in high bar stiffness values.