In this project, supporting belts were developed for the front hand-spring in tumbling, and applied to the gymnastics class of 41 elementary school children of both sexes, ranging in age from 10 to 11.
　The results obtained were as follows:　
1. None of the subjects showed a complete hand-spring pattern (D) of front handspring, which requires that one should be able to land with his back and hip joints straightened out. About 27% of them showed incomplete patterns (C) : they landed with their hip joints bent.
　And the others (73%) showed front rolling patterns (A and B) : they rotated with their back touching the mat. Here we are concerned only with children who showed incomplete handspring pat-terns (C).
　Our finding suggests that what is most important for pattern C children is to extend their shoulder joints gradually as they put their hands on the mat take off.
2. Supporting belts were devised to be worn around the waist and help extend their shoulder joints while they are standing on their hands.
　The supporting belt consists of a narrow nylon belt with a plastic buckle, and a wider shock absorbing waist hand, and cotton ropes (See/figure 5, page 269). The two cotton ropes are tied to both sides of the subject's waist. They are held by his aids who stand on both his sides to lift him up while he is standing on his hand (See/figure 6, page 269).
　The recorded electromyograms and the video tape recording demonstrated that when supporting belts were used by children, their muscle loads on the shoulder girdle were reduced, and their hip position became higher at the take off period.
3. Within two periods of the class, all of the children improved the form in landing. According to the resoults of the questionnaire, they confirmed that the supporting belts were effective instruments for the acquisition of the front handspring skill.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.11/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE