Modeling and inverse simulation of somersaults on the trampoline

This paper describes a biomechanical model for numerical simulation of front and back somersaults, without twist, performed on the trampoline. The developed mathematical formulation is used to solve an inverse dynamics problem, in which the moments of muscle forces at the joints that result in a given (measured) motion are determined. The nature of the stunts and the way the human body is maneuvered and controlled can be studied. The calculated torques can then be used as control signals for a dynamic simulation. This provides a way to check the inverse dynamics procedures, and influence of typical control errors on somersault performance can be studied. To achieve these goals, the nonlinear dynamical model of the trampolinist and the interacting trampoline bed has been identified, and a methodology for recording the actual somersault performances was proposed. Some results of numerical simulations are reported.