Gym Sports - Interdisciplinary Research

The Gym Sports Research Group conducts research to help improve performance and reduce injury risk for gym sports, including gym for all (mass participation), rhythmic gymnastics, artistic gymnastics (men's and women's), aerobics and trampoline sports.

Gymnastics organisations supporting our research

Group publications and grants

  • Campbell, R., Bradshaw, E., Ball, N., Pease, D., Spratford, W. (2019). Injury epidemiology and risk factors in competitive artistic gymnasts. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53(17), 1056-1069.
  • Wyatt, H.E., Gittoes, M.J.R, Irwin, G. (2020). Sport-specific musculoskeletal growth and postural control in female artistic gymnasts: a 12 month cohort study. Sports Biomechanics, 19(2), 258-270
  • Bradshaw (2017). Monitoring gymnasts for injury prevention. The Science of Gymnastics, 323-333
  • Bradshaw, E.J. (2018). Advanced applied example of motor control 1. The running approach when vaulting. In: Jemni, M. (Ed). The Science of Gymnastics. Advanced Concepts (2nd Ed.). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 253-254.
  • Bradshaw, E.J. (2018). Monitoring gymnasts for injury prevention. In: Jemni, M. (Ed). The Science of Gymnastics. Advanced Concepts (2nd Ed.). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 323-333.
  • Campbell, R.A., Bradshaw, E.J., Ball, N., Hunter, A., Spratford, W. (In Press). Effects of digital filtering on peak acceleration and force measurements for artistic gymnastics skills. Journal of Sport Sciences. Accepted 4th April 2020.
  • Simons, C., & Bradshaw, E.J. (2016). Do accelerometers mounted on the back provide a good estimate of impact loads in jumping and landing tasks? Sports Biomechanics, 15(1), 76-88.
  • Simons, C., & Bradshaw, E.J. (2016). Reliability of accelerometry to assess impact loads of jumping and landing tasks. Sports Biomechanics, 15(1), 1-10.
  • Moresi, M., Bradshaw, E.J., Naughton, G., Greene, D. (2015). The Impact of Data Reduction on the Intra-Trial Reliability of a Typical Measure of Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Stiffness. Journal of Sport Sciences, 33(2), 180-191.
  • Bradshaw E, Hume PA, Aisbett B. Performance score variation between days at Australian national and Olympic women’s artistic gymnastics competition. J Sport Sci 2012; 30, 193-201.
  • Bradshaw E, Hume PA, Calton M, et al. Reliability and variability of day-to-day vault training measures in artistic gymnastics. Sport Biomechanics, 2010; 9: 79-97.
  • Bradshaw E, Hume PA, Dulson D. Growth, maturation and injury patterns of talented young gymnasts. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2015 in progress.
  • Bradshaw E, Hume PA. Biomechanical approaches to identify and quantify injury mechanisms and risk factors in women's artistic gymnastics. Sport Biomechanics, 2012; 11: 324-41.
  • Bradshaw, E.J. (2004). Target-directed running in gymnastics: A preliminary exploration of vaulting. Sport Biomechanics, 3(1), 125-144.
  • Bradshaw, E.J., Le Rossignol, P. (2004). Anthropometric and biomechanical field measures of floor and vault ability in 8-14 year old talent-selected gymnasts. Sport Biomechanics, 3(2), 249-262.
  • Farana, R., Irwin, G., Jandacka, D., Uchytil J, Mullineaux, D.R. (in press). Elbow joint variability for different hand positions of the round off in gymnastics. Human Movement Sciences
  • Farana, R., Jandacka, D. and Irwin, G. (2013). Influence of different hand positions on impact forces and elbow loading during the round off in gymnastics: A case study. Science of Gymnastics Journal.
  • Farana, R., Jandacka, D., Uchytil J, Zahradnik, D., Irwin, G., (2014). Musculoskeletal loading during the round-off in female gymnastics: The effect of hand position, Sports Biomechanics.
  • Gittoes, M.J.R. and Irwin, G. (2012). Biomechanical approaches to understanding the potentially injurious demands of gymnastic-style impact landings. Sports, Medicine, Arthroscopy, Rehabilitation, Therapy & Technology, 4(4), 1-12.
  • Gittoes, M.J.R., Irwin, G. and Kerwin, D.G. (2013). Landing strategy transference in fundamental backward rotating gymnastic dismounts. Journal of Applied Biomechanics.
  • Gittoes, M.J.R., Irwin, G., Kerwin, D.G. and Mullineaux, D.R. (2011). Variability of impact mechanics during forward and backward rotating dismounts from beam: implications for injury. Journal of Sport Sciences, 29(10), 1051-1058.
  • Gittoes, M.J.R., Irwin, G., Mullineaux, D. and Kerwin, D.G. (2011). Whole-body and multi-joint kinematic control strategy variability during backward rotating dismounts from beam. Journal of Sports Sciences, 29(10), 1051-1058.
  • Greene, D.A., Naughton, G.A., Bradshaw, E.J., Moresi, M., Ducher, G. (2012). Mechanical loading with or without weight-bearing activity: Influence on bone strength index in elite female adolescent athletes engaged in water polo, gymnastics and track-and-field. Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism, 30, 580-587.
  • Hume PA, Hopkins W, Robinson D, et al. Predictors of attainment in rhythmic sportive gymnastics. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 1994; 33: 367–77.
  • Hume PA, Hopkins WG, Robinson DM, et al. Predictors of attainment in rhythmic sportive gymnastics. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 1993; 33: 367-77.
  • Hume PA, Quarrie KL. Concussion in gymnastics. Successful Coaching UK 2004; 18: 3-4.
  • Hume PA, Sanders R. Biomechanics in rhythmic gymnastics. Technique 1992; 12: 14-7.
  • Hume PA. Gymnastic Scientific Advisory Committee (GSAC): A working group approach to utilising science in sport. New Zealand Coach 1992; 1: 4.
  • Hume PA. Minimising Injuries in Gymnastics Activities.
  • Irwin, G. and Kerwin, D.G. (2005). Biomechanical similarities of progressions for the longswing on high bar. Sports Biomechanics, 4(2), 164-178.
  • Irwin, G. and Kerwin, D.G. (2007). Inter-segmental co-ordination of high bar progressions. Sports Biomechanics, 6(2), 129-142.
  • Irwin, G. and Kerwin, D.G. (2007). Musculoskeletal work of high bar progressions. Sports Biomechanics, 6(3), 360-373.
  • Irwin, G. and Kerwin, D.G. (2009). The influence of the vaulting table on the handspring front somersault. Sports Biomechanics. 8(2), 114-128.
  • Irwin, G., Hanton, S. and Kerwin, D.G. (2005). The conceptual process of progression development in artistic gymnastics. Journal of Sports Sciences, 23(10), 1089-1099.
  • Kerwin. D.G. and Irwin, G. (2010). Musculoskeletal work preceding the outward and inward Tkachev on uneven bars in artistic gymnastics. Sports Biomechanics, 9(1), 16-28.
  • Kolt G, Hume PA, Williams M, et al. Effects of a stress management program on injury and stress of competitive gymnasts. Perceptual and Motor Skills 2004; 99: 195-207.
  • Manning, M.L., Irwin, G., Gittoes M.J.R. and Kerwin, D.G. (2011). Influence of longswing technique on the kinematics and key release parameters of the straddle Tkachev on uneven bars. Sports Biomechanics, 10(3), 161-173.
  • Moresi, M., Bradshaw, E.J., Naughton, G., Greene, D. (2015). The Impact of Data Reduction on the Intra-Trial Reliability of a Typical Measure of Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Stiffness. Journal of Sport Sciences, 33(2), 180-191.
  • Spencer, K. & Schuhmann, M. (2015). The Influence of Body Position on the Straddled Tkatchev’s Flight Phase in Men’s Horizontal Bar. 1-20. Journal of Human Sport And Exercise.
  • Williams, G., Irwin, G., Kerwin, D.G. and Newell, K. M. (2012). Kinematic changes during learning the longswing on high bar. Sports Biomechanics, 11(1), 20-33.
  • Williams, G.K.R., Irwin, G., Kerwin, D.G. and Newell, K.M. (2014). Biomechanical energetics analysis of technique during learning the longswing on high bar. Journal of Sports Sciences.
  • Williams, G.K.R., Irwin, G., Kerwin, D.G. and Newell, K.M. (2014). Changes in joint kinetics during learning the longswing on high bar. Journal of Sports Sciences
  • Bradshaw, E. Analysing Technique. In; Pyke, F. S. (Ed). Coaching Excellence. Champaign: Human Kinetics, 2013: 147-170.
  • Bruggeman GP, Hume PA. Biomechanics related to injury in gymnastics. In:  Caine DJ, Russell K, Lim L, editors. Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science, Gymnastics: Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell, 2013: 200.
  • Hume PA, Bradshaw E, Bruggeman GP. Biomechanical approaches to injury mechanisms and risk factors. In:  Caine DJ, Russell K, Lim L, editors. Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science, Gymnastics:  Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell, 2013: 200.
  • Hume PA, Stechman M, Thomson J, et al. Rhythmic Gymnastics Developmental Assessment Programme (RG DAP) Testing Manual:  New Zealand Gymnastics, 2004.
  • Hume PA. New Zealand Gymnastics. In:  Bishop B, Hume PA, editors. Sports Science New Zealand’s Guidelines for Athlete Assessment. Wellington:  Sports Science New Zealand, 2000: 16-32.
  • Irwin, G. and Kerwin, D.G. Musculosketal work in the longswing on high bar. In: E. F. Moritz and S. Haake, ed. The Engineering of Sport 6, Volume 1: Developments for sports. New York, USA: Springer LLC, 2006: 195 – 200.
  • Irwin, G., Williams, K.R. and Kerwin, D.G. Chapter 9: Gymnastics coaching and science: biomechanics perspectives. In:  L.M. Schiavon, T. Heinen, M.A.C. Bortoleto, M. Nunomura, E de Toledo, (ed.) High Performance Gymnastics, 2013: 163-177
  • Kerwin, D.G. and Irwin, G. Predicting high bar forces in the longswing. In: E. F. Moritz and S. Haake, (eds.) The engineering of sport 6, Volume 1: Developments for sports. New York, USA: Springer LLC, 2006: 189–194.
  • How safe is the code of points landing technical requirements in artistic gymnastics?
    Awarding body: ACU Faculty of Health Sciences
    Amount: AUS$1,500
    Principal investigators: Elizabeth Bradshaw, Patria Hume, Corey Joseph, Mark Calton, Karen Grech
  • A longitudinal, multi-factorial risk analysis of Australian elite female gymnasts.
    Awarding body: The High Performance Sport Research Fund
    Amount: AU$46,500
    Principal investigators: Parker-Simmons, S., Brayborn, W., Bradshaw, E
  • The development and use of the Bradshaw real-time biomechanics gymnastics vaulting feedback system for coaches.
    Awarding body: AUT Research Contestable
    Amount: NZ$585
    Principal investigator: Patria Hume
  • Vaulting towards London 2012 and beyond – Introducing cutting edge technology into high performance gymnastics training centres.
    Awarding body: ACU Faculty of Health Sciences
    Amount: AUS$24,048
    Principal investigators: Elizabeth Bradshaw, Patria Hume, Brad Aisbett, Morgan Williams, Mark Calton
  • Biomechanical analysis of vaulting at 2005 World Championships.
    Awarding body: AUT Research Contestable
    Amount gained: NZ$20,000
    Principal investigators: Patria Hume and Elizabeth Bradshaw
  • Gymnastics stress management and injury prevention
    Awarding body: AUT Research Contestable
    Amount gained: NZ$16,900.
    Principal investigators: Gregory Kolt, Patria Hume
  • Load on the lower extremities of trampoline jumpers in relation to stress fractures
    Awarding body: Royal Dutch Gymnastics federation
    Amount gained: EU 5,000
    Principal investigator: J.W. van der Eb

Using research to inform best practice

The Gym Sports Research Group is part of our interdisciplinary research groups with a common aim: to bring together expertise from varied sport-related disciplines to inform best practice for organisations, teams and players around the world.

Other interdisciplinary research groups

Our people

Founding members

  • Patria Hume
  • Elizabeth Bradshaw (ACU, Australia)
  • Gareth Irwin (Cardiff Met, UK)

New Zealand members

  • Grant Mawston (HRRI)
  • Anna Lorimer (SPRINZ)
  • Mark Boocock (HRRI)
  • Christine Reed (GymSportsNZ)
  • Hannah Wyatt (AUT)

International members

  • Mark Carlton (Australian gym coach)
  • Corey Joseph (Monash Health)
  • Karen Grech (ACU, Australia)
  • Rhiannon Campbell (Deakin University)
  • Toshiyuki Fujihara (Osaka University of Health & Sport Sciences, Japan)
  • Keith Russell (FIG, Canada)
  • Jeroen van der Eb (Netherlands)
  • Bill Sands (USA)