Category: biomechanics

Fujitsu software in health care

… International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), … Fujitsu Limited, and Acer Medical Inc., which provides AI-powered medical image processing and preventive medicine, today announced a collaboration …

FIG, Fujitsu, Acer Medical collaborate to develop health-promoting insurance concept to support preventative care in aging societies

… smartphone app …

I attended the press conference and LIVE, real-time demonstration of the medical package.

Smart phone video ➙ wirelessly sent to a laptop ➙ analysis ➙ wirelessly sent to a monitor.

The DEMO we watched was analysis of gait. Preventive medicine. They want to analyze elderly patients standing, sitting, and walking—turning that into valuable clinical insights for the doctor.

I was impressed.

It seemed quick enough to be used in the Gym by a coach doing analysis. By the time the gymnast gets to the monitor, the data would be ready for display.

In Japan, Fujitsu has their software working for Golf Swing, Archery, Baseball, and other sports. Gymnastics is more complicated, of course.

Watanabe was asked WHEN we might see the Fujitsu software used in FIG competition regularly. He wouldn’t commit.

Personally, I need it more IN THE GYM for coaching analysis.

The software wouldn’t need to be anywhere near as perfected for that use. I’d want to compare my gymnast performance of Tkachev in training against Kate McDonald, for example. 😀

Demonstration – Fujitsu Gymnastics Judging Support System

Very cool.

IF this works in real time, we are not far off having video analysis checking D-score of judges. They should be flagged instantly if Fujitsu disagrees.

I’m sure E-score is much further off. But is possible with A.I.

Steve Butcher uses Layout Tkachev as an example.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

illustrating “set” in Gymnastics

I do love the graphics in this software.

HERE we can show gymnasts examples of leaving the floor or apparatus fully stretched.

YES, you only need to show that stretch until leaving the floor / apparatus — but a little bit of exaggeration could help the gymnast understand more quickly.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

twisting with arms WIDE

Hayami Yumita.

Of course, keeping your arms wide makes twisting more difficult and slower — but it certainly is stylish. 😀

twisting in both directions on 1 skill

Cirque du Soleil Artist Shaun Gregory

Coach Matthew Sparks sent us this link.

TILT to twist one direction. UNTILT. … TILT in the opposite direction. 

It ain’t easy.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related VIDEO – see it on skis

twisting in both directions on 1 skill

More and more trampolinists are trying this — for FUN.

TILT to twist one direction. UNTILT. TILT in the opposite direction.

It ain’t easy.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

ESPN 4D Replay – #NCAAWGym Championships

Awesome technology.

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