Reimagine USA Gymnastics: Prioritizing Safety and Innovation
Innovative Solutions for a Safer Future in Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport that requires strength, precision, and dedication. However, it’s also a sport that has been plagued by injuries due to outdated and unsafe equipment. At King Bars Sports, LLC, we believe it’s time for a change. Our mission is to revolutionize gymnastics safety and performance through innovative technology. It’s time to Reimagine USA Gymnastics.
In the insular world of gymnastics equipment manufacturing, a small group of industry giants hold considerable sway. USA Gymnastics (USAG) maintains an “exclusive supplier agreement” with American Athletic, Inc. (AAI), a company nestled within the corporate behemoth Spalding, owned by Fruit of the Loom (FOTL), ultimately controlled by Berkshire Hathaway. This convoluted ownership structure blurs lines of accountability and stifles innovation, prioritizing profit over athlete safety.
Nellie Kim, VP International Gymnastics Federation (FIG)
“The future development of gymnastics is a complex and complicated process. Part of it involves new technique for elements and creation of new skills. But human abilities are limited, and therefore, we need new, modern gymnastics apparatus, which would help gymnasts perform new skills and at the same time provide safety.”
My journey into this murky landscape began in 2008 when I tested revolutionary spring floor technology at AAI's Jefferson, Iowa plant. The results were unequivocal: our Weller Spring Floor outperformed traditional models, offering unparalleled safety and performance features. However, rather than embracing this innovation, AAI chose silence, opting to conceal our findings and maintain the status quo.
FIG Floor Apparatus Test conducted at AAI's Jefferson, Iowa plant over three days in November 2008.
Todd Reindors, AAI Engineering Manager
“It consists of a 10kg mass (and we repeated with 20kg) configured to drop at various heights. The impactor is instrumented with an accelerometer and LVDT (displacement transducer). We can either directly measure or calculate: velocity, acceleration, force, impact time, deflection, and rebound. A good indicator of your spring being easier on an athlete would be if the impact time is longer than ours. Therefore the peak force transmitted to the athlete would be decreased. The only criteria I would set today would be if your impact time is shorter than ours, then we may consider it a failure. The displacement data could be used in the future to prove/deny any claims of a closer matched response to the athlete but at this time I do not have any data on the athlete side either.”
Data showed Weller Spring Floor meets FIG requirement, that impact time is longer, and post impact floor vibration is reduced significantly in intensity and duration. The displacement data proves a closer matched response to the athlete.
The board, foam, and carpet were constant. “x” marks on carpet (above) indicate 9 positions on the board where 10kg and 20kg weight was dropped from various heights.
Insider Insights
John Deary, AAI's top dealer, told me:
"Injury caused by the floor and such is a problem for the lawyers. Their take is muscle overuse and poor training or poor landings are the cause of injury."
Subsequent attempts to share our data, including rigorous testing overseen by Bill Sands, PhD, Head of Recovery at USOPC, were met with resistance and obfuscation. At the 2012 Olympic Trials, despite compelling evidence, discussions about our technology were abruptly halted, citing vague legal concerns. This pattern of suppression and evasion persisted, as USAG officials actively discouraged engagement with our safer alternative, fearing disruption to their lucrative arrangements. AAI Western Region Manager, Whitey Anson, said they’re “a pimple on an elephant” after they were directed to misstate Sands’ research.
Key Findings from Our Research
Superior Shock Absorption: Weller Spring Floor demonstrates a slightly lower dominant frequency (~8 Hz) compared to traditional cylindrical springs and foam blocks (~9 Hz), indicating better shock absorption capabilities.
Enhanced Energy Transfer: In terms of impulse, which measures the total force over time, Weller showed lower values. This means Weller provides better energy dissipation, crucial for both performance and injury prevention.
Superior Rate of Force Development: Weller Spring Floor produces a higher rate of force development on the downward motion and a lower rate of force development on the upward motion. This translates to safer landings, more power on takeoff, greater control over movements, and more time in the air.
Comparison of Safety and Performance Metrics: Cylindrical vs. Weller.
Jump and Jive: The Hidden Flaw in Gymnastics Floors
Bill Sands, PhD,
It’s incredible what you can see at 500 frames per second. When gymnasts jump on spring floors and vaults, they unknowingly add an extra ‘down’ and ‘up’ motion. This inefficiency, according to Sands, lies in the floor’s incorrect tuning, which causes a slight, unintended extra motion before launching.
Following a series of injuries after the 2003 World Championships, Sands used high-speed footage to analyze the athletes and equipment. He discovered that the floor’s improper tuning resulted in a rattling motion, causing gymnasts to bend their knees twice unintentionally. This inefficiency not only wastes energy but also puts significant strain on the athletes' legs, increasing the risk of injuries like Achilles tendon ruptures.
“Why they would want to bend twice I’m not sure. To comply with a normal takeoff the floor should go down when you go down and go up when you go up,” said Sands. “What we think we’re seeing in spring boards and vault boards is like diving with a board that’s out of tune.”
Testing floors by dropping weights can detect some issues, but it doesn’t accurately represent an athlete’s jump.
“It’s not only inefficient, but you’re going to put a lot of strain on the leg. The effects on the athletes can only be counteracted by increasing their strength,” said Sands. “It’s a good recipe for rupturing an Achilles tendon.”
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
Bill Sands, PhD, spent four decades studying spring floors, discovering with his fellow researchers that gymnasts actually bend their knees twice (unintentionally) on backward tumbling take-off (due to recoil of the floor). His PowerPoint was to be presented at the Olympic Trials in 2012. With a standing room only crowd waiting to see this data, he was stopped by USA Gymnastics and American Athletic, Inc and then told attendees that there were "legal reasons" he could not talk about Weller Floor. It was shocking to all in attendance. The "legal reasons," I was told, was the "exclusive supplier agreement" between USA Gymnastics and American Athletic, Inc. Sands only stated “safety and performance remain possibilities for Weller” in the published research on “double knee bends.” He was subsequently removed from his USOPC position.
This raises ethical concerns: was it appropriate for Sands to publish a statement he knew contradicted his PowerPoint findings, especially when his presentation was halted under questionable circumstances? The integrity of scientific research and its dissemination are crucial, and this incident highlights potential conflicts of interest within the gymnastics community.
Published Report:
"Although this study did not show enhanced take-off performance based on spring-type, the influence of the spring floor on performance and safety remains a possibility. Other performance factors may have a more dominant influence on take-off parameters."
Meanwhile, injuries on traditional floors continue to plague gymnasts. USAG's reluctance to disclose injury data only exacerbates the problem, shielding manufacturers from accountability and perpetuating a culture of secrecy. Athletes deserve better — they deserve equipment designed with their safety as the top priority.
William A. Sands, PhD, Head of Sport Biomechanics and Engineering, USOPC.
“Sadly, we believe that the floor and vault board are major contributors to Achilles tendon and other injuries. In my view, there is a problem with apparatus design that has its genesis in a lack of understanding of the nature of impact, vibration, and energy return of the apparatus.”
As the 2024 Paris Olympics approach, safety and performance of gymnastics participants are at risk of being stifled or worse - going undetected for another cycle. It's imperative that we act now to ensure the safety and well-being of athletes.
Our Weller Spring Floor represents a paradigm shift in gymnastics equipment design. Precision engineering ensures optimal support and reduced impact forces, mitigating the risk of injury. Variable Pitch Engineering enhances shock absorption and performance, empowering gymnasts to push the boundaries of their sport safely.
🌟 EASIER ON THE ATHLETE™
Weller Floor Features Patented Variable Pitch Engineering.
✨ What is Variable Pitch Engineering?
It works by altering the pitch of the springs within the floor, resulting in a frequency response that reduces the stress on the athlete’s body during certain movements, i.e., dorsiflexion.
🚗 An Analogy: This innovation has been likened to airbags in automobiles, which increase the impact time over which the body is stopped, reducing the force and risk of injury.
🌐 Visit us on our website and social media! WellerSpring.com
Discover how we're making gymnastics safer and more enjoyable with innovative technology!
#EasierOnTheAthlete #GymnasticsSafety #Innovation
In addition to the exclusive supplier agreement between USA Gymnastics and American Athletic, Inc., similar arrangements exist on a global scale. ABEO, a French conglomerate that controls 85% of the world gymnastics equipment market through their brands Spieth America, Janssen Fritsen, and Gymnova, has also implemented exclusive supplier agreements, particularly for major events like the Olympic Games. Our attempts to collaborate with ABEO on safety innovations were met with resistance, despite initial interest. Furthermore, International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has been known to endorse specific equipment suppliers, effectively limiting the options available to gymnasts and stifling competition in the industry. These exclusive agreements not only restrict innovation and technological advancements but also raise concerns about transparency and fairness within the sport.
Imagine the way a diver adjusts the fulcrum to achieve an ideal take-off. Similarly, our Weller Spring Floor is finely tuned to match the natural frequency of athletes' movements, minimizing strain and reducing the risk of injuries.
Our legacy of innovation, spanning 16 years, drives us to create floors that exceed industry standards, prioritizing athlete well-being above all else.
Scott M. Weller, Founder and Inventor, King Bars Sports, LLC
“Nothing is more important than the safety of athletes. As a company, we are committed to advancing the technology of gymnastics equipment to make the sport safer and more enjoyable for all. We are proud to introduce our latest innovation, variable pitch engineering, and are excited to work with industry leaders to prioritize the safety of gymnasts around the world.”
Join us in revolutionizing gymnastics safety and performance. Explore the science behind our spring floor at WellerSpring.com and be part of our mission to elevate gymnastics to new heights. Together, we can Reimagine USA Gymnastics.
Play Safe!
Scott M. Weller, CEO
King Bars Entertainment, King Bars Sports LLC
WellerSpring.com
🌟 Fine-Tuned for Gymnasts: The Weller Advantage! 🤸♀️✨
Dear Gymnastics Enthusiasts,
Ever wondered about the perfect "tuning" for gymnastics? Look no further! Weller Spring Floor goes beyond the ordinary, providing a precisely tuned experience for every athlete.
🎵 The Art of Tuning:
Adjustable Support: No more one-size-fits-all. The Weller system adapts to the weight and movement of each gymnast, ensuring optimal support. All sizes/weight get comparable bounce!
Reduced Vibrations: Our patented technology reduces vibrations with smoother acceleration, allowing for a smoother and more controlled performance.
Balanced Rebounding: Say goodbye to wild bounces! Weller Spring Floor's tuned response enhances timing and reduces the risk of injury.
🔍 The Weller Difference:
✅ Proper Tuning: Each element - force, impulse, vibration - is tuned for an athlete-centric experience.
✅ Easier on Athletes: With a closer-matched response, Weller Spring Floor is designed to be EASIER ON THE ATHLETE™.
🌐 Learn More: Discover the science behind proper "tuning" at WellerSpring.com.
Stay updated with our latest insights and advancements in gymnastics safety and performance.
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