A two segment simulation model of long horse vaulting

Optimum preflight characteristics of the Hecht and handspring somersault vaults were determined using a two segment simulation model. The model comprised an arm segment and a body segment connected by a frictionless pin joint, simulating the vault from Reuther board takeoff through to landing. During horse contact shoulder torque was set to zero in the model. Five independent preflight variables were varied over realistic ranges and an objective function was maximised to find the optimum preflight for each vault. The Hecht vault required a low trajectory of the mass centre during preflight with a low vertical velocity of the mass centre and a low angular velocity of the body at horse contact. In contrast the optimum handspring somersault required a high preflight trajectory with a high angular velocity of the body and a high vertical velocity at horse contact. Despite the simplicity of the model, the optimum preflights were similar to those used in competitive performances.