Author(s): MAENO, M., KOBAYASHI,S, SHIMIZU,S, ONIWA,R, NAKAMURA,Y, KAWAMA,R, YANASE,K., Institution: DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 985

INTRODUCTION:
Figure skating jumps substantially contribute to technical scores, and their success strongly affects competition results. In particular, the Axel jump is mandatory, and a double Axel (2A) jump is required in the junior short program. However, only a limited number of studies have examined the kinematic characteristics of the 2A jump. This study aimed to identify the kinematic characteristics that differentiate successful and unsuccessful off-ice 2A jump.
METHODS:
Ten female figure skaters (skating experience: 10.7 ± 3.3 years; age: 19.5 ± 1.5 years; height: 157.4 ± 4.5 cm; body mass: 49.7 ± 4.5 kg) participated in this study. Each participant performed two trials of an off-ice 2A jump. Three-dimensional kinematics were captured using a motion capture system (Cortex; Motion Analysis Corp., USA) with 27 cameras and 47 reflective markers, and analyzed using NMotion (NMotion Inc., USA). Participants were classified into a successful group (n = 4) or unsuccessful group (n = 6) based on completion of 2.5 revolutions and landing on the right foot. Maximum joint angles and angular velocities of the upper and lower extremities during the takeoff phase (from left foot contact to toe-off) were calculated, as well as peak center-of-mass height during the entire 2A jump. Normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Group differences were analyzed using independent t-tests or Mann–Whitney U tests. The p-value was set at 0.05.
RESULTS:
The maximum angular velocity of left hip adduction during takeoff was significantly higher in the successful group (349.0 ± 45.0 deg/s) than in the unsuccessful group (242.6 ± 78.2 deg/s) (p < 0.05). In addition, the jump height was significantly greater in the successful group (38.3 ± 2.6cm) than in the unsuccessful group (32.2 ± 4.6cm) (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Successful off-ice double Axel jump was characterized by faster left-hip adduction during takeoff and greater jump height. These characteristics may contribute to achieving sufficient rotational momentum in double Axel jump.