The Physics of Cheerleading
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Cheerleading is not all about wearing cute outfits, chanting and tossing pom-poms in the air. It is just like any sport that requires hard work, practice and constant application of physics. All physical activity can be explained in physics, especially in cheerleading. Concepts like gravity and angular momentum play a role in stunts like the following: Gravitation Force – Standing Lifts The third law of motion explains, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." This applies in a stunt where a cheerleader is standing on a person’s hand. The normal force present when holding the person in the air has an opposing action and reaction—this includes the gravity and the force of the lifter’s arms and body strength. As such, it is important to pair a lifter with someone lighter.
Angular Momentum – Spinning Jumps Angular momentum is the product of velocity, mass, and distance from the mass to the axis of rotation. Cheerleaders must be an expert in the physics of rotation for spinning stunts. Flyers must use all the angular momentum they can get from the take-off, so they can spin in midair. In addition, the cheerleader’s angular speed increases or decreases by shortening the distance between the mass and the axis of rotation. When a cheerleader performs a back tuck, she may have no angular momentum to gain until she decreases the distance between her body and the axis of the spin. Gravitational Acceleration – Flying Stunts Cheerleaders must learn how to maximize gravitational acceleration during flying stunts, as this will dictate when they can execute movements. The rule is that one’s maximum height point is the highest the object can go. At that peak, velocity reaches zero. If the flyer does not wait to reach their highest point, the jump will fall short. Center of Gravity – One-legged Stunts During a standing lift, cheerleaders should quickly find their center of gravity whether a lifter is holding their foot or they are standing on top of another's shoulder. On a scorpio or any one-legged stunt, cheerleaders mayfind it hard to balance and shift the center of gravity to one side of the body. To prevent falling, they must counterbalance the side pulled by the force with their center of gravity. For many cheerleading coaches, it pays to know some of the concepts in physics. They must know how to incorporate these concepts in doing stunts and use management techniques to streamline practice time.
Resources: http://www.thestudiodirector.com/product/cheerleading-dance-software/ http://www.livestrong.com/article/502528-physics-of-cheerleading/ http://www.unc.edu/~reet/physicsside.html