InnoSportLab ‘s-Hertogenbosch has intensified its cooperation with the KNGU, the European gymnastics association (UEG) and the world gymnastics association (FIG) in the past year. The lab is closely involved in the measurements and technological development of gymnastic equipment and jury support. During the European Championships in Montpellier, the lab also provides the technology for support of the jury at the rings.

 

Hawk-Eye in tennis and the video referee in hockey are known, but in the foreseeable future gymnastics will probably use technology to achieve a more objective judging. At the European Championship it is tested with a specific part of the ringing arena.

 

Exact software

In that discipline, the men have to maintain force elements such as the width and upper balance for two seconds during their exercise. So far, that is measured by feeling/the naked eye; a juror counts in his head and judges whether it was long enough. However, InnoSportLab ‘s-Hertogenbosch has developed software with which it can be calculated much more precisely.

 

“We have turned a mouse into a measuring device,” says Maurice Aarts. A juror presses that mouse and releases when the gymnast goes on with his exercise. This way you can immediately read whether it took two seconds. In addition, the force on the left and right rings is measured. If there is a change in force, the gymnast has started a next element.

 

0.3 points difference

UEG became convinced when the lab showed that at the ring finale of 2014 no less than two seconds had been held for an element of less than two seconds without the jury having found it. “That should be twelve times a penalty of 0.3 points,” says Aarts. “And when you consider that the difference between a medal or not is usually not a tenth of a point, you know how important this is.”

 

Shadow jury

During the European Championship in France, it was a shadow jury, in addition to the normal judging. It may be introduced at the European Championship next year, but more time is needed before the World Championships and Olympic Games will be used. It can not happen quickly enough for Bram van Bokhoven, coach of Yuri van Gelder. “This is a huge advantage for Yuri, because the long persistence of heavy elements is his strength.”

InnoSportLab ‘s-Hertogenbosch strengthens its position as an innovative measuring and testing center for gymnastic sports. In addition to sports support, the lab now also provides jury support. During the European Championships in Montpellier, research was carried out into the cushioning of the shoulder load with a giant swing at the rings, together with Gymnova France. In addition, strength and video measurements have been performed for all ring exercises.

 

Article also based on article Algemeen Dagblad, 18 April 2015