LIMIT CYCLE DYNAMICS ACROSS ELITE MALE ARTISTIC GYMNASTS

Biological systems described by their attractor dynamics provide a method to understand the fundamental characteristics of skilled movement. Here the limit cycle dynamics of the longswing were investigated across tiers of elite men’s gymnasts. Senior, junior and development elite gymnasts (N=21) performed three trials of eight consecutive longswings on high bar. Limit cycle analysis revealed a more symmetrical angular velocity of the centre of mass about the bar trajectory in phase space, higher recurrence, lower correlation dimension and lower variability for senior gymnasts suggesting a more deterministic, efficient and predictive technique. The addition of non-linear dynamics to traditional biomechanics offers complementary theoretical and coaching knowledge to movement coordination, control and skill