Notice in this illustration how the shoulder joint serves as the axis of rotation for swinging the arm above the head. Because this type of rotary motion occurs within the physical limits of the body, it is called "internal swing."
Internal swing at the shoulder joint.
(Illustration by James H. Stephenson in "Championship Gymnastics.")
In the performance of many skills on the uneven bars, the gymnast often undergoes a different form of swing. It is different in that the axis of rotation lies outside rather than within the body's physical limits. As shown in the next figure, the upper rail serves as the axis of rotation for a Backward Hip Circle to Handstand. Whenever the entire body unit is attached to and circles about a fixed axis, the realized movement is called "external swing."
The relationship between internal and external swing
in executing a Backward Hip Circle to Handstand on the uneven bars.
(Illustration by James H. Stephenson in "Championship Gymnastics.")It is both interesting and important to understand the close relationship between these two fundamental types of swing. In the hip circle, for example, observe how the internal rotary motions-first of the trunk about the shoulder joints, and then of the legs about the hip joints-serve to control, guide and regulate the extent of total body motion, or external swing, about the bar. The timely interplay of these rotary motions, together with use of the bar's inherent elasticity, determines the quality of this and, in fact, all swing-oriented skills. In this light, it would be wise to consider carefully how to take maximum advantage of internal-swing mechanics.
The mechanics of internal swing
serve as the catalyst for
maximizing external swing.
Continued on pages 68-85 in Championship Gymnastics: Biomechanical Techniques for Shaping Winners.