R.I.P. Dr. Gerald S. George

The man who personally defined Gymnastics technique for me has died. Dr. Gerald S. George.

Rest in peace.

When his 1979 text book was published — Biomechanics of Women’s Gymnastics — I bought 10 copies and handed them out to our competitive staff.

He updated it 2010 in an edition called Championship Gymnastics.

BEST of all are the illustrations by James H. Stephenson.

Neither book was focused on biomechanics. Most groundbreaking was his taxonomy of how to define good technique. Any future computerized analysis should use these principles.

 Movement-Refining Principles

1. Amplitude Principle

A. External Amplitude
B. Internal Amplitude

2. Segmentation Principle
3. Closure Principle
4. Peaking Principle
5. Diversification Principle