Is skilled technique characterized by high or low variability? An analysis of high bar giant circles

There is conflicting evidence as to whether skilled performance is associated with lower or higher movement variability. The effect of skill level and task difficulty on movement variability during gymnastics swinging was investigated. Four male gymnasts ranging in skill from university standard through to international medallist performed 10 consecutive regular giant circles and 10 double straight somersault dismounts preceded by accelerated giant circles while kinematic data were recorded. Joint angle time histories of the hip and shoulder were calculated and the turning points between flexion and extension determined during each giant circle. Standard deviations of the time and magnitude of the angles at each turning point were calculated. The more elite gymnasts were found to have less variability in the mechanically important aspects of technique compared to the less elite gymnasts. The variability in the mechanically important aspects of technique was not statistically different between the two types of giant circles, whereas the more elite gymnasts demonstrated more variability in some of the less mechanically important aspects.