Effects of the Method of Body Segment Parameter Estimation on Airborne Angular Momentum

Abstract

Ten body segment parameter (BSP) estimation methods were selected to compute the BSPs of 3 collegiate male gymnasts: cadaver-based methods (Group C, 4 methods), mass scanning-based methods (Group M, 4 methods) and geometric methods (Group G, 2 methods). Angular momenta of nine double somersault with full twist H-bar dismounts performed by the 3 gymnasts were computed. Each trial was processed 10 times using 10 sets of BSPs obtained from the estimation methods. Intergroup and intermethod comparisons of the airborne angular momenta were made. It was concluded that the method of BSP estimation affected the magnitude of airborne angular momentum but did not affect the magnitude of angular momentum fluctuation during the airborne phase.