The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinetic characteristics of backward giant swing on parallel bars (PB) compared with those of backward giant swing on horizontal bar (HB). The subjects were six male skillful university gymnasts. Their performances of PB and HB were videotaped with a digital video camera to calculate the knee, shoulder, and hip joint angle, joint torque, joint power, and mechanical work from two-dimensional coordination of the body landmarks. The mechanical negative work done by hip extension torque leading to hang phase of PB were larger than those of HB. During upward phase from hang, the shoulder extension torque of PB was exerted longer period of time than HB, with the result that mechanical positive work done by shoulder extension torque of PB was larger than that of HB. For effective training of backward giant swing on parallel bars, the coach has to recognize their characteristic differences from those of horizontal bar.