Gymnastics
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:Gymnastics brokenchopstick.jpg
Gymnastics is a sport involving the performance of sequences of movements requiring physical strength, flexibility, and kinesthetic awareness, such as handsprings and handstands. It developed from fitness exercises used by ancient Greek soldiers, including skills for mounting and dismounting a horse, and circus performance skills. It is often considered a dangerous sport, as the difficult acrobatic maneuvers often performed on equipment high above the ground puts the athlete at risk of serious injury.
Contents |
Disciplines
Modern gymnastics, as regulated by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique incorporates six distinct disciplines:
- Artistic gymnastics (further classified as Men's Artistic Gymnastics and Women's Artistic Gymnastics)
- Rhythmic gymnastics
- Sports aerobics
- Sports acrobatics
- Trampolining
- General gymnastics
Of these disciplines, the two sub-disciplines of artistic and rhythmic gymnastics are the best known, having been part of Summer Olympic Games competitions. Individual Trampoline has been included in the Summer Olympics since 2000.
The discipline of rhythmic gymnastics is competed only by women (although there is a new version of this discipline for men being pioneered in Japan, see Men's rhythmic gymnastics), and involves the performance of five separate routines with the use of five apparatus - ball, ribbon, hoop, clubs, rope - on a floor area, with a much greater emphasis on the aesthetic rather than the acrobatic. Rhythmic routines are scored out of a possible 20 points.
Sports aerobics
Sports aerobics involves the performance of routines by individuals or pairs, emphasizing strength, flexibility, and aerobic fitness rather than acrobatic or balance skills. Routines are performed on a small floor area and generally last 60-90 seconds, being judged out of a total of 10 points.
Trampolining
Trampolining consists of four events, individual, synchronized, double mini trampoline and power tumbling. Only individual trampoline is included in the Olympics. Individual routines involve a build-up phase during which the gymnast jumps repeatedly to achieve height, followed by a sequence of ten leaps without pauses during which the gymnast performs a sequence of aerial tumbling skills. Routines are marked out of a maximum score of 10 points. Additional points (with no maximum) can be earned depending on the difficulty of the moves. Synchronized trampoline is similar except that both competitors must perform the routine together and marks are awarded for synchronicity. Double mini trampoline involves a smaller trampoline with a run-up, two moves are performed and the scores marked in a similar manner to individual trampoline. Tumbling involves a sprung track, athletes must perform a succession of tumbling moves and are marked on difficulty and execution.
General Gymnastics
General gymnastics, sometimes called group gymnastics, enables people of all ages and abilities to participate in performance troupes of 6 to more than 150 athletes. They perform synchronized, choreographed routines. Troupes may be all one gender or mixed. There are no age divisions in general gymnastics. The largest general gymnastics exhibition is the quadrennial World Gymnaestrada which was first held in 1939.
Artistic Gymnastics
Artistic Gymnastics is usually divided into Men's (MAG) and Women's Gymnastics (WAG), each group doing different events; Men compete on Vault, Parallel Bars, the Pommel Horse, the Rings, the High Bar, and on the Floor, while women compete on Floor, Uneven Bars, Vault, and Beam. Though routines performed on each event may be short, they are physically exhausting and push the gymnast's strength, flexibility, endurance and awareness to the limit.
Women's Events
Vault
In the Vault event Gymnasts sprint down a runway, usually about 80 feet long, leap onto a springboard, launch onto the vault in a straight body position, flip over and land on their feet. In advanced gymnastics, the postflight may include one or multiple saltos and twists.
In 2001 the traditional vault was replaced by the new vaulting table. The new apparatus is more stable than the old, giving gymnasts a larger blocking surface. It is also longer.
Uneven Bars
Uneven Bars (also known as asymmetric bars, UK) - The gymnast navigates a set of bars set at different heights with swinging, circling, transitions, release moves and handstands.
Balance Beam
Beam - The gymnast performs a choreographed routine of up to 90 seconds consisting of leaps, acrobatic skills, turns and dance elements on a padded, spring beam about 4 feet high, 5m long, and 4 inches wide.
Floor
Floor - Gymnasts perform a choreographed exercise, consisting of tumbling, jumps, dance elements, and turns to musical accompaniment. The floor is carpeted with springs. It is 40 feet x 40 feet.
Men's Events
Floor
Floor - The floor is a carpeted area, 12m x 12m, usually springed or foamed. Men perform a series of tumbling passes along with flexibility, strength, and balance tests. Routines last between 50-70 seconds and are performed without music.
Pommel Horse
Pommel Horse - Men must perform circular movements around the horse with their legs while allowing only their hands to actually touch it. This is considered one of the hardest events.
Rings
Rings - The rings are about 8 feet off the ground. Men must have good strength and flexibility to swing themselves on these rings while preventing the rings themselves from swinging. The rings are the epitome of male gymnast strength.
Vault
Vault - Gymnasts sprint down a runway, usually about 80 feet long, before leaping on a springboard and holding their bodies straight while punching (blocking using only a shoulder movement) the vault and flipping over to a standing position. In advanced gymnastics, twists are added before landing.
Parallel Bars
Parallel Bars - Men hold themselves on two bars about a shoulder's width apart and about 6 1/2 feet high while performing a series of swings and balances that require great strength and coordination.
High Bar
High Bar - a 1-inch thick steel bar 8 feet in the air is all the gymnast has to hold onto as he shows swings, release skills, twists, and even a change of direction.
See also
- Gymnast
- Gym
- Turners
- Trampolining
- Gymnopaedia
- World Gymnastics Championships
- NCAA Men's Gymnastics championship
- NCAA Women's Gymnastics championship
- Pole dance
External links
- Fédération International de Gymnastique
- Gymnastics Coaching
- Gymnastic Topics
- Dope Moves Central
- FM Gymnastics- a list of Techniques and free animated comic tutorials for Floor Gymnasticsar:جمباز
cs:Gymnastika da:Gymnastik de:Gymnastik eo:Gimnastiko es:Gimnasia fr:Gymnastique is:Fimleikar it:Ginnastica nl:Turnen ja:体操 pl:Gimnastyka sr:Гимнастика sv:Gymnastik zh:体操