Gymnastics

Gymnastics issport involvingperformancesequencesmovements requiring strength, flexibility,kinaesthetic awareness. It developed from fitness exercises used by ancient Greek soldiers, as well incorporating cavalry skillsmountingdismountinghorse,circus performance skills.

Modern gymnastics, as regulated byFIG (Federation International de Gymnastique) incorporates six distinct disciplines:

• Artistic gymnastics (further classified as Men'sWomen's Artistic Gymnastics, or MAGWAG),
• Rhythmic gymnastics,
• Sports aerobics,
• Sports acrobatics,
• Trampolining
• General gymnastics.

Of these disciplines,two subdisciplinesartistic gymnastics arebest known, having been competedevery modern Summer Olympic Games.

The disciplinerhythmic gymnasticscompeted only by women,involvesperformancefive separate routines withusefive props (ball, ribbon, hoop, clubs, role) onfloor area, withmuch greater emphasis onaesthetic rather thanacrobatic. Rhythmic routinesscored out ofpossible 30 points.

Sports aerobics involvesperformanceroutines by individuals or pairs, emphasising strength, flexibility,aerobic fitness rather than acrobatic or balance skills. Routinespeformed onsmall floor arealast 90 seconds (? - check this), being judged out oftotal(check how many pointsmaximum).

Trampolining routines involvebuild-up phase during whichgymnast jumps repeatedlyachieve height, followed bysequenceleaps without pauses during whichgymnast performssequenceaerial tumbling skills. Routinesmarked out ofmaximum score(?).

Forlistfamous gymnasts, see: gymnast.

See also: gymnast, Turners

External Links

FIG (Official Association)