A computer method for biomechanical analysis of the balance of acrobatic figures performed by two gymnasts

In this paper, we present a biomechanical analysis of the balance of an acrobatic figure constructed by two girls. For the analysis, the Kinovea computer software was used. We demonstrate that the balance in the sagittal plane depends on the size of the base gymnast's feet and the angle between her feet: increasing the size of the feet of the base gymnast improves the balance, while increasing the angle between her feet weakens the balance. Balance also depends on the heights and masses of gymnasts: increasing the gymnasts' heights and/or the top gymnast's mass weakens the balance, while increasing the base gymnast’s mass improves it. Such analysis is especially important when acrobats are relatively young (10-15 years old), as their bodies are undergoing growth and body parameters (such as sizes and weights of body parts) change non-proportionally.