Kinematic comparison of the double and triple Lutz in artistic roller skating

The purpose of this study was to compare the double and triple Lutz figure skating jumps and determine their key biomechanical differences in order to provide coaches with helpful information for teaching the triple Lutz. Data were collected from five male world-class roller skaters using a stereophotogrammetric system. The most relevant difference concerned a higher pelvis rotational velocity of the triple with respect to the double Lutz, not only in the flight phase (4.1 vs. 3.3 rev/s, respectively) but also from the toe-pick. Furthermore, a higher vertical velocity at take-off was observed in the triple jump, that can be explained from the greater flexion-extension of the right hip and knee from toe-pick to the take-off. On the contrary, the average horizontal approach speed was lower for the triple compared to the double Lutz.