Differences in Head Kinematics Experienced by Women’s and Men’s Artistic Gymnasts During Common Skills

This study aimed to characterize differences in head kinematics across similar skills performed by women's (WAG) and men's artistic gymnastics (MAG). Twelve female and 8 male artistic gymnasts (ages 11-18) wore mouthpieces with triaxial accelerometers and gyroscopes to perform a series of gymnastics skills from 5 common skill progression pathways: backward tumbling (floor), bar elements, forward tumbling, and vault-specific skills (Tsukahara and Yurchenko). Data were recorded at 100 Hz for 10-minute intervals and time-synchronized with video recordings. Peak linear acceleration (PLA), peak rotational acceleration (PRA), resultant change in rotational velocity during the maximum rotational acceleration (ΔRV), and peak rotational velocity (PRV) were compared using mixed-effects models. WAG experienced greater PRV during noncontact skills (eg, giant and clear hip). MAG experienced, on average, 1.7 times greater PRA during skills with significantly different PRA between MAG and WAG. MAG tended to have higher kinematic values for PLA, PRA, and ΔRV during contact phases compared with WAG. It is important to understand head kinematics in nonconcussive situations, as postconcussed gymnasts may have lower tolerance to head acceleration events during recovery. Understanding differences in head kinematics between WAG and MAG can help guide sport- and sex-specific injury prevention strategies.