The Genesis of Spring Floor Tuning: Innovations in Sport and Entertainment
Addressing Safety and Performance Concerns in Gymnastics and Entertainment
Following a series of high-profile injuries suffered by athletes on spring floors, the industry has long sought ways to improve safety while maintaining performance. King Bars Sports, LLC, a leading manufacturer of spring floors, has introduced a new innovation called Variable Pitch Engineering that addresses these concerns and has received two U.S. patents for it.
“In 2003, three athletes from three different countries suffered Achilles injuries at the World Championships in Anaheim, CA, leading to questions about the safety of the spring floor,” said Bill Sands, Ph.D., former Head of Recovery at USOPC, and a leading expert on biomechanics. “Our research showed that the spring component of the floor was contributing to injuries, particularly when athletes performed certain movements with excessive force.”
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.”
Scott Weller, CEO of King Bars Sports, LLC, took Sands’ research a step further and introduced Variable Pitch Engineering to their spring floors. This innovation alters the frequency response of the floor to reduce the risk of injuries while maintaining the high level of performance that athletes demand.
“As a former gymnast, I knew the importance of a safe and reliable spring floor. With Variable Pitch Engineering, we have been able to provide a product that not only reduces the risk of injury but also enhances the athlete’s experience by giving them a more consistent surface to perform on,” said Weller.
Gymnastics Injury Epidemic: A Call for Safer Equipment
The latest injury updates from College Gym News paint a concerning picture of the current state of gymnastics safety. Numerous athletes across various college teams have suffered severe injuries, including torn ACLs, Achilles ruptures, and other debilitating conditions. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for innovation in gymnastics equipment to better protect athletes.
Updated Injury Highlights:
Alabama: Makarri Doggette - Torn left Achilles
Arizona: Sophia Maisel - Torn left Achilles
Auburn: Caroline Leonard - Torn Achilles
Florida (committed): Skye Blakely - Torn Achilles (at Olympic Trials)
Oregon State: Sydney Gonzales - Torn right Achilles
LSU: Konnor McClain - Torn left Achilles (at USAG Core Classic)
Kayla DiCello: Torn Achilles (at Olympic Trials)
Shilese Jones: Injured knee (at Olympic Trials)
King Bars Sports’ advanced technology offers a promising solution to reduce the incidence of these severe injuries. Providing proper tuning, and enhancing shock absorption, energy dissipation, and overall stability, King Bars Sports’ technology provides a safer training environment for gymnasts.
The NCAA is well aware of our technology. In 2012, then Head Coach at UCLA, Miss Val, and Assistant Coach Chris Waller, ordered two Weller Floors after experiencing four Achilles injuries among their athletes in just three seasons. They passionately promoted Weller at every opportunity, advocating for change and inspiring other NCAA teams to consider alternatives to the status quo.
However, our efforts faced resistance when AAI intervened to maintain their monopoly on the market.
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.
Spring Floor Safety and Performance Metrics
Unprecedented Acceptance in Entertainment
Our innovative technology received remarkable enthusiasm from Disney Live Entertainment. The Special Performance Designer and Entertainment Safety Teams at Disney meticulously evaluated our Variable Pitch Engineering and embraced its safety and performance-enhancing features. This led to our recognition as an Approved Supplier for The Walt Disney Company, culminating in successful projects for the Chinese acrobat team in Tarzan at Shanghai Disney Resort, and other shows. CEO Robert Iger's philosophy of "Innovate or Die" resonated deeply throughout this collaboration.
Polarized Responses in Gymnastics
Conversely, our experiences within the gymnastics industry revealed a stark contrast. Despite initial interest from American Athletic, Inc. (AAI), further testing and positive safety results were met with indifference. AAI leadership, including Mark Shaw and Steve Craig, chose not to pursue the safety advantages our technology offered. Similarly, USA Gymnastics (USAG) COO Ron Galimore’s stance that current gym floors were "not dissatisfying" reflected a troubling acceptance of mediocrity in athlete safety.
Despite AAI initially labeling our technology as "genius," the subsequent withholding of safety and performance data denied gymnasts the opportunity to benefit from our advancements. This indifference was highlighted by directives from Fruit of the Loom (FOTL), AAI’s managing owner, which prohibited communication with Weller and downplayed the need for change despite evidence to the contrary.
Insider Insights
John Deary, AAI's Top Dealer
"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."
FIG Apparatus Test at AAI
During a three-day test at AAI's Jefferson, IA plant in 2008, Weller Spring Floor was evaluated using FIG standards. The test involved dropping 10kg and 20kg masses from various heights, measuring impact time, deflection, and rebound. Results showed that Weller Floor meets FIG requirements with longer impact times and significantly reduced post-impact vibrations. This indicates better shock absorption and energy dissipation, making it a safer and more reliable option for gymnasts. The Weller displacement data proves a closer matched response to the athlete. However, rather than embracing this innovation, AAI chose silence, opting to conceal our findings and maintain the status quo.
ABEO and the Status Quo
ABEO, the French conglomerate with exclusive supplier agreements with FIG, World Championships, and Olympic Games, mirrored this safety apathy. ABEO Managing Director, Jacques Janssen, signed a confidential disclosure and non-use agreement in June, 2017, to explore our technology, and a business relationship.
Bill Wild, CEO, ABEO North America
If it’s innovation, we want it.”
It is. They didn’t.
Initial discussions with ABEO ceased once they acknowledged our technology’s superiority. Bill Wild even threatened legal action upon confirming our U.S. Patents, prioritizing power dynamics over gymnast safety.
The Role of USAG, FIG, and Exclusive Suppliers, AAI and ABEO/Spieth
USA Gymnastics (USAG), International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), and their exclusive suppliers, AAI and ABEO/Spieth, have long maintained a monopoly over the equipment market. This relationship prioritizes profit over safety, resulting in outdated and potentially dangerous equipment being used in gyms around the world. The reluctance to adopt innovative technologies like King Bars Sports’, which has been independently tested and proven to enhance safety and performance, highlights a profound disconnect between these organizations' actions and their stated commitment to athlete welfare.
The Hidden Flaw in Gymnastics Floors
Bill Sands, PhD, spent decades studying spring floors and discovered that gymnasts unintentionally bend their knees twice during takeoff due to floor recoil. His high-speed footage analysis revealed improper floor tuning, resulting in a rattling motion that compromises performance and safety. Akin to diving with a board that’s out of tune, this inefficiency causes extra motion, strains the legs, and increases injury risk, such as Achilles tendon ruptures.
The basic idea is that studies show that the spring floor "bottoms out" and this results in a rebound frequency of existing spring floors that is about twice as fast as the gymnast's take off. This results in the knees bending twice or a "rattle" in the floor. Back in the 90's they worked on a spring floor that had two different length springs, a softer/longer spring for lighter gymnasts coupled with a stiffer/shorter spring that would take the impact of heavier and more powerful gymnasts. They showed that this was a good combination for meeting the different needs of heavy and light gymnasts and brought the response frequency closer to that of gymnasts.
Weller accomplishes all of this and much more!
With a standing-room-only crowd waiting to see Sands’ PowerPoint on Weller Floor safety and performance at the Olympic Trials in 2012, he was stopped by USAG and AAI. In the published research this data was omitted, stating, “safety and performance remain possibilities for Weller.” He was subsequently removed from his USOPC position. (Read more: Reimagine USA Gymnastics)
William A. Sands, PhD, Head of Sport Biomechanics and Engineering, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (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.”
🌟 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! Weller Spring Floor
Discover how we're making gymnastics safer and more enjoyable with innovative technology!
#EasierOnTheAthlete #GymnasticsSafety #Innovation
Understanding Floor Synchronization and Its Impact on Performance
To illustrate this phenomenon further, consider the behavior of the floor after several tumbling passes. A wave pattern develops and just as the gymnast lands, the floor may be moving down and away from them, as if they are hitting a “hole.” (Many gymnasts report this after Achilles rupture.) Or the floor may be moving up at them, or a double or dead bounce can result. This lack of synchronization not only compromises the athlete's performance but also increases the likelihood of injury.
🌟 Fine-Tuned for Gymnasts: The Weller Advantage! 🤸♀️✨
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 Weller Spring Floor.
Conclusion
King Bars Sports, LLC, the manufacturer of Weller Floor, has received two U.S. patents for their innovative Variable Pitch Engineering. The company is an approved supplier of spring floors for Disney Live Entertainment and is committed to advancing athlete safety and performance through innovative engineering.
“Variable Pitch Engineering is a game-changer for the industry. We are proud to have been able to take Sands’ research and turn it into a practical solution that improves athlete safety and performance,” said Weller. “As athletes continue to push the limits of their performance, it is our responsibility to provide a safe and reliable environment for them to compete in,” added Weller. “With Variable Pitch Engineering, we believe we have achieved that goal, and we will continue to push the boundaries of innovation in this space.”
For more information on Weller Floor and Variable Pitch Engineering, visit Weller Spring Floor.
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