Differences in the mechanics of takeoff in reverse and forward springboard somersaulting dives

Forward and reverse springboard somersaulting dives use similar approaches with a hurdle step prior to the final board contact phase during which forward rotation is produced in forward takeoffs and backward rotation in reverse takeoffs. This study compared forward and reverse takeoffs for joint strength, activation complexity, technique kinematics, and rotation potential. A planar 8-segment torque-driven computer simulation model of springboard diving takeoff was used to determine isometric joint strength by matching performances of a forward 2½ somersault dive and a reverse 1½ somersault dive. Activation complexity for the reverse takeoff was increased to achieve a similar closeness of match as for the forward takeoff. Takeoff technique was optimised to maximise rotation potential of forward and reverse somersaulting dives. Kinematics at touchdown, lowest point and takeoff were compared for the optimised forward and reverse takeoff simulations. It was found that the optimised reverse somersaulting dive exhibited greater isometric strength for ankle plantarflexion and shoulder flexion, greater joint torque activation complexity for ankle plantarflexion and for knee flexion. There was also less forward motion during board depression, more hip extension and knee flexion during the later stages of board recoil, less capacity for rotation potential, and greater vertical velocity at takeoff.