The International Forum on Gymnastic Sciences: Background and Purpose

In gymnastics, the foremost scoring competitive sport, the discrepancy between research and practice, caused by the inability of lab-based scientific research to keep up with the understanding of real gymnasts and the rapidly advancing pace of technical innovation, has long been recognized as a problem. On the other hand, the International Gymnastics Federation announced to adopt a 3D laser sensor based scoring support system, partially at the 49th World Artistic Gymnastics Championships (to be held in Stuttgart in October 2019), aiming to implement automated scoring from 2020 onwards

Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences was relatively ahead of the curve in introducing ICT devices in the gym for delayed video playback, as well as, since 2016, undertaking its unique project of building a system for performance visualization and real-time feedback for artistic gymnastics. The original feedback system developed at the university is used on a daily basis at the training level, representing the fruit of efforts to develop the science and practice of gymnastics in unity with each other.?

Building on this foundation, the university will hold a forum on the theme of “Gymnastics: Science and Practice,” joining together with world-renowned experts affiliated with the International Gymnastics Federation to deepen the debate from a variety of perspectives, including those of athletes, coaches, judges, and researchers. We believe that this opportunity to hold a forum, in perfect timing for next year’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics, incorporating perspectives not just from competitive practice but also science, represents a valuable endeavor from the perspective of improving the international esteem of the sports science produced by Japan’s gymnastics community.