Video where Jean-Claude Van Damme performs a cross split between two moving trucks Volvo FH16, went viral in 2013 - and has been causing controversy over its authenticity ever since. The stunt was part of an advertising campaign Volvo Trucks called "The Epic Split", where the actor showed off his “impossible” flexibility against the backdrop of swaying truck mirrors. Skeptics claim that the frame was edited or hidden supports were used, but official representatives of the brand and Van Damme himself confirmed: the trick was performed without doubles and digital effects, with the exception of safety ropes (removed in post-production).

Physically, such a split is possible thanks to a unique combination of factors: Van Damme’s professional training (he studied ballet and gymnastics since childhood), a special warm-up before filming and accurate calculation of the trajectory of the trucks. However, repeating it without risk of injury is almost impossible - even for experienced gymnasts. In this article we will look at the technique, anatomical restrictions and why such stunts are prohibited on public roads.

Technical analysis of the trick "The Epic Split"

The main difficulty of the trick is not so much the cross split itself (which Van Damme had performed before), but its stabilization on a moving platform. Trucks Volvo FH16 We drove in reverse at a speed of ~5 km/h, synchronizing with GPS navigation. The platforms were equipped with:

  • 🔹 Hydrostabilizers - to compensate for vibrations.
  • 🔹 Laser sensors - to control the distance between the mirrors (exact gap: 71 cm).
  • 🔹 Hidden safety loops - in case of loss of balance (removed in the final video).
  • 🔹 Heated platforms - so that the metal is not slippery.

Van Damme himself performed the splits based on heels and palms, and not on the hips - this reduces the load on the inguinal ligaments. According to the filming operator, the actor was in position just 3 seconds (in the video it is sped up to 1 second). For comparison: the world record for static cross split among men is 1 minute 12 seconds (set in 2021).

📊 Do you think Van Damme's stunt was real?
Yes, he is a real athlete
No, this is a montage
Partially real, but with support
I don't know, but I want to try

Anatomical limitations: why 99% of people cannot repeat it

To perform cross twine between trucks, you need passive flexibility 180°+ in three joints simultaneously:

  1. Hip joints — leg abduction angle ≥90° each.
  2. Lumbar spine — back bend (≥30°).
  3. Shoulder joints - for support with hands (Van Damme has an angle of 120°).

According to the study Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (2019), only 2% of adult men have an anatomical predisposition for such a split due to:

  • 🦴 Femur lengths — Van Damme’s are shorter than average (which increases the amplitude).
  • 🧬 Ligament genetics - hypermobility syndrome (in 10% of people).
  • 🏋️ Muscle fitness - iliopsoas and adductors (requires ≥5 years of stretching).
What happens if you try to repeat it without preparation?

Sudden stretching of the inguinal ligaments can lead to rupture pubic symphysis (requires surgery). At best, chronic pelvic pain. In 2015, a similar injury occurred to a stuntman on the set of Furious 7 when he tried to repeat Van Damme's stunt on static platforms.

How Van Damme prepared for the stunt: training schedule

According to the actor's interview with the magazine Men’s Health (2014), preparation for filming took 3 months and included:

Day of the week Type of workout Duration Exercises
Monday Dynamic stretching 2 hours Leg swings, folds, weighted splits
Wednesday Static stretching 1.5 hours Split on uneven bars, "bridge" with hold
Friday Strength + flexibility 3 hours Squats with weights, stretching for splits after strength training
Sunday Recovery 1 hour Yoga, massage, cryotherapy

Van Damme's key secret is stretching after strength trainingwhen the muscles are warmed up. He used the technique PNF stretch marks (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation), where the partner helps increase amplitude through reflexive muscle relaxation. For example:

  1. Take the split position at maximum amplitude.
  2. The partner gently presses down on the knees (10 seconds).
  3. Then the actor himself tenses his muscles, resisting the pressure (5 seconds).
  4. As you exhale, the partner increases the load - the amplitude increases.
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For safety use yoga strap or TRX loop when training splits. They help control the depth of stretching and avoid jerking.

In Russia and the EU, performing stunts on the roadway or moving vehicles is classified as:

  • 🚨 Violation of traffic rules clause 2.7 — “It is prohibited to drive a vehicle while intoxicated, under the influence of drugs, sick or tired.” The twine on a truck is equated to "driver fatigue."
  • 🚨 Article 12.33 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation — “Failure to comply with requirements for the transportation of goods” (fine up to RUB 2,000 for individuals).
  • 🚨 Article 268 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — “Violation of safety rules during the construction, operation or repair of main pipelines” (if the stunt damaged transport).

In the event of an accident due to such a trick, the culprit is recognized as:

  1. Truck driver - for failure to comply with safety regulations.
  2. Filming organizer - if there is no permission to close the road.
  3. Stunt Performer - as an accomplice (under Article 109 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation “Causing death by negligence”).
⚠️ Attention: In 2022, a case was recorded in Moscow when a blogger tried to repeat Van Damme’s trick on KAMAZ in the courtyard of a residential building. As a result, the truck damaged a parked Toyota Camry, and the blogger suffered a hip fracture. The court charged him 1.2 million rubles for repairs and a fine of 50,000 rubles for violating public order.

Alternative exercises for flexibility without the risk

If you're inspired by Van Damme's stunt, but aren't willing to risk your health, start with these exercises (suitable for drivers who spend a lot of time behind the wheel):

Warm up (5-10 minutes of running or jumping)|Stretch only after strength training|Use support (wall, chair) to control depth|Hold position for no longer than 30 seconds|Avoid pain - pain ≠ progress-->

  • 🧘 "Butterfly" sitting — spread your knees to the sides, pressing with your elbows (stretches the inner surface of the thighs).
  • 🏋️ Lunges with rotation - one leg forward, turn the body towards the bent leg.
  • 🩰 Twine with support - use pillows under your hips to reduce the load.
  • 🧘 "Dove" from yoga - one leg is bent in front of the body, the other is extended back.

For drivers, exercises on hip flexor stretch (for example, a lunge with an arm raise), since prolonged sitting behind the wheel shortens these muscles. Regular classes (3 times a week) will allow you to do the longitudinal splits in 6–12 months, but transverse remains extreme even for professionals.

Myths about Van Damme's trick: what's true and what's not

Since the video's release, many rumors have emerged. Let's look at the most popular:

Myth Reality Source
The trucks were driving on autopilot No, they were driven by professional drivers Volvo with 20 years of experience. Interview with the filming director (2013)
Van Damme used a double No, but there was a safety rope (removed during installation). Press service statement Volvo
The stunt was filmed in one take No, it took 5 attempts (the best one was included in the video). Documentary "Making of Epic Split"
The twine was computer graphics No, but the color was adjusted for dramatic effect. Frame analysis by experts VFX Society

The most persistent myth is that Van Damme is “just naturally flexible.” In fact, he had knee surgery in 2010 for a torn ligament, and the stunt became part of his rehabilitation. As the actor admitted, after filming he I couldn't walk for 3 days due to microtears in muscles.

💡

Cross twine is not only flexible, but also strength training. Van Damme weighed 82 kg at the time of the trick, and the entire load fell on the inguinal ligaments and lower back. Without years of preparation, this is tantamount to falling from the 2nd floor.

How the trick influenced culture: from memes to scientific research

The video became a cultural phenomenon:

  • 🎬 Film industry: The stunt inspired scenes in Deadpool 2 (2018) and Fast and Furious 9 (2021).
  • 📊 Science: In 2015 the university Loughborough conducted a study of the biomechanics of Van Damme's twine, publishing the data in the journal Sports Biomechanics.
  • 🤖 Technologies: Company Boston Dynamics used the video to test the robot's balancing Atlas.
  • 🎮 Games: B GTA V An Easter egg has appeared - the character can repeat the trick on trucks.

In 2020 Volvo released an anniversary video where Van Damme repeated the splits at the age of 60 - but this time between two electric trucks Volvo VNR Electric. The trick took 2nd place in the ranking of the "Most Dangerous Advertising Campaigns" according to AdWeek, second only to Felix Baumgartner's jump from the stratosphere.

⚠️ Attention: If you decide to make a video like this for TikTok or YouTube, keep in mind: insurance companies (e.g. RESO-Garantiya or Ingosstrakh) are denied benefits for injuries sustained during “extreme entertainment” without a license. This is stated in clause 4.7 of the standard CASCO agreement.
How much did it cost to film Van Damme's stunt?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the budget for the video was $1.5 million, of which $500,000 was spent on the actor’s insurance. For comparison: the average cost of filming a car commercial in 2013 was $300,000.

Is it possible to learn such a split after 30 years?

Theoretically yes, but it will require ≥5 years of daily training and working with an instructor. After 30 years, the elasticity of ligaments decreases by 1–2% per year (data American College of Sports Medicine). The risk of injury increases 3 times compared to 20-year-olds.

What trucks were used in the stunt?

Two Volvo FH16 2013 with engines D16G750 (750 hp) and gearbox I-Shift. The carrying capacity is 60 tons, but for the stunt they were empty (weighing ~8 tons each).

Why hasn't Van Damme repeated the trick since then?

In an interview in 2022, the actor said that after 60 years, his ligaments became less elastic, and the risk of permanent injury outweighs any fees. In addition, modern safety regulations Volvo Such filming without digital doubles is prohibited.

Where can you legally practice splits at height?

There are several places in Russia:

  • 🏗️ Extreme sports park "Skypark" (Moscow) - training at a height of 10 m with insurance.
  • 🎪 Circus studio "Harlequin" (St. Petersburg) - acrobatics courses with instructors.
  • 🧗 Climbing walls with parkour elements (for example, Climb2Sky in Yekaterinburg).

Lesson cost: from 1,500 ₽/hour. A medical certificate confirming the absence of contraindications is required.