Author(s): MURAYAMA, D., Institution: KYOTO UNIVERSITY OF ADVANCED SCIENCE, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 670

Introduction: For athletes, the skill acquisition is so important that it can directly affect the results of competitions. Ecological dynamics is a useful theoretical framework to guide how athletes design and perform practical tasks. Although this is effective in improving the "adaptive ability" of all athletes, it has not been well incorporated into current movement instruction field. The same is true in gymnastics. The purpose of this study was to clarify the problems with traditional coaching methods for gymnastics, and to use ecological dynamics theory to clarify the usefulness of the "adaptive ability" that athletes should possess through concrete example analysis.
Method: The method was as follows: 1) We clarified the problems with the traditional teaching methods for gymnastics by investigating previous studies and interviewing coaches in the field. 2) We showed that floor exercise training programs can be made more efficient by using the framework of the "Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) based on ecological dynamics. 3) Based on our results, we proposed a new coaching theory for gymnastics.
Result: The traditional learning method for technical training in gymnastics is to repeatedly practice specific movement patterns. With this practice method, practice tasks are fixed and coach-led, and gymnasts may end up believing that there are only a limited number of practice tasks. Such recognition includes the risk that the application of the exercise structure becomes less applicable as the athletes skill level increases. For example, differences in the elasticity of floor equipment used in floor exercises are important to athletes. There are devices that are very soft and easy to jump on, such as the trampolines used in trampoline competitions, and even hard floor devices, such as the floor of a gymnasium. Gymnast requires jumping movements that correspond to the hardness of the floor equipment. The framework of the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA), which is based on ecological dynamics, shows that perception and movement are greatly influenced by three elements: the environment, the person, and the task. By controlling the tasks, the coach can teach the Gymnast the ability to build an appropriate training program. The somersault kicking motion in floor tumbling must be properly adjusted by the elasticity of the floor (environment). Gymnast requires a practice program to help gymnasts adapt to the given environment. At first, the practice needs to be given specifically and individually to the gymnasts, but after that, the gymnasts must apply the practice steps themselves.
Conclusion: Through this analysis, we were able to incorporate motor learning theory using the CLA framework from the standpoint of ecological dynamics into gymnastics coaching, and obtained knowledge that could contribute to improving the efficiency of motor coaching.