Open Access Articles- Top Results for Gymnastics


This article is about The general competition. For a specific form of gymnastics, see Gymnastics (disambiguation).
File:Daniele Hypólito 16072007.jpg
Daniele Hypólito on the Balance Beam at the 2007 Pan American Games

Gymnastics is a sport involving the performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, power, agility, coordination, grace, balance and control. Internationally, all events are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG). Each country has its own national governing body (BIW) affiliated to FIG. Competitive artistic gymnastics is the best known of the gymnastic events. It typically involves the women's events of vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. Men's events are floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars and the high bar. Gymnastics evolved from exercises used by the ancient Greeks that included skills for mounting and dismounting a horse, and from circus performance skills.

Other FIG disciplines include: rhythmic gymnastics, trampolining and tumbling, aerobic gymnastics and acrobatic gymnastics. Disciplines not currently recognized by FIG include aesthetic group gymnastics, men's rhythmic gymnastics and TeamGym. Participants can include children as young as 20 months old doing kindergym and children's gymnastics, recreational gymnasts of ages 5 and up, competitive gymnasts at varying levels of skill, and world class athletes.


The word gymnastics derives from the common Greek adjective γυμνός (gymnos) meaning "naked",[1] by way of the related verb γυμνάζω (gymnazo), whose meaning is "to train naked", "train in gymnastic exercise", generally "to train, to exercise".[2] The verb had this meaning, because athletes in ancient times exercised and competed without clothing. It came into use in the 1570s, from Latin gymnasticus, from Greek gymnastikos "fond of or skilled in bodily exercise," from gymnazein "to exercise or train" (see gymnasium).


In 1569, Girolamo Mercuriale from Forlì (Italy) wrote Le Arte Gymnastica, which brought together his study of the attitudes of the ancients toward diet, exercise and hygiene, and the use of natural methods for the cure of disease. Girolamo was an Italian philogist and physician, who received his doctorate in 1555. He was later asked to occupy the Chair of Medicine in 1569. De Arte Gymnastica also explained the principles of physical therapy and is considered the first book on sports medicine.

In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century Germany, three pioneer physical educators – Johann Friedrich GutsMuths (1759–1839) and Friedrich Ludwig Jahn (1778–1852) – created exercises for boys and young men on apparatus they had designed that ultimately led to what is considered modern gymnastics. Don Francisco Amorós y Ondeano, marquis de Sotelo, was born on February 19, 1770 in Valence and died on August 8, 1848 in Paris. He was a Spanish colonel, and the first person to introduce educative gymnastic in France. Jahn promoted the use of parallel bars, rings and high bar in international competition.[3]

The Federation of International Gymnastics (FIG) was founded in Liege in 1881.[4] By the end of the nineteenth century, men's gymnastics competition was popular enough to be included in the first "modern" Olympic Games in 1896. From then on until the early 1950s, both national and international competitions involved a changing variety of exercises gathered under the rubric, gymnastics, that would seem strange to today's audiences and that included for example, synchronized team floor calisthenics, rope climbing, high jumping, running, and horizontal ladder. During the 1920s, women organized and participated in gymnastics events. The first women's Olympic competition was primitive, only involving synchronized calisthenics and track and field. These games were held in 1928, in Amsterdam.

By 1954, Olympic Games apparatus and events for both men and women had been standardized in modern format, and uniform grading structures (including a point system from 1 to 15) had been agreed upon. At this time, Soviet gymnasts astounded the world with highly disciplined and difficult performances, setting a precedent that continues. The new medium of television has helped publicize and initiate a modern age of gymnastics. Both men's and women's gymnastics now attract considerable international interest, and excellent gymnasts can be found on every continent. Nadia Comăneci received the first perfect score, at the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal, Canada. She was coached in Romania by coach, (Hungarian ethnicity), Béla Károlyi. Comaneci scored four of her perfect tens on the uneven bars, two on the balance beam and one in the floor exercise.[5] Even with Nadia's perfect scores, the Romanians lost the gold medal to the Soviet Union. Nevertheless, Comaneci became an Olympic icon.


International competitive gymnastics

See also: List of gymnastics competitions
See also: Best results of countries at major gymnastics competitions

Artistic gymnastics

Main article: Artistic gymnastics



Artistic events for women

Main article: Vault

In the vaulting events, gymnasts sprint down a Script error: No such module "convert". runway, jump onto or perform a roundoff entry onto a springboard (run/ take-off segment), land momentarily, inverted on the hands on the vaulting horse, or vaulting table (pre flight segment), then propel themselves forward or backward, off of this platform to a two footed landing (post flight segment). Every gymnast starts at a different point on the vault runway depending on their height and strength. The post flight segment may include one or more multiple saltos or somersaults, and/or twisting movements. A round-off entry vault, called a Yurchenko, is the most common vault in elite level gymnastics. When performing a yurchenko, gymnasts "round-off" so hands are on the runway while the feet land on the springboard (beatboard). From the roundoff position the gymnast travels backwards and executes a backhandspring so that the hands land on the vaulting table. The gymnast then blocks off the vaulting platform into various twisting and/or somersaulting combinations. The post flight segment brings the gymnast to her feet.

In 2001, the traditional vaulting horse was replaced with a new apparatus, sometimes known as a tongue or vaulting table. The new apparatus is more stable, wider, and longer than the older vaulting horse—approximately 1m in length and 1m in width—giving gymnasts a larger blocking surface, and is therefore considered safer than the vaulting horse used in the past. With the addition of this new, safer vaulting table, gymnasts are attempting more difficult and dangerous vaults.[7]

File:Skubik on Uneven Bars 2006.JPG
Gymnast on uneven bars.
Uneven bars
Main article: Uneven bars

On the uneven bars, the gymnast performs a routine on two horizontal bars set at different heights. These bars are made of fiberglass covered in wood laminate, to prevent them from breaking. In the past, bars were made of wood, but the bars were prone to breaking, providing an incentive to switch to newer technologies. The width and height of the bars may be adjusted. In thﺁe past, the uneven parallel bars were closer together. They've been moved increasingly further apart, allowing gymnasts to perform swinging, circling, transitional, and release moves, that may pass over, under, and between the two bars. At the Elite level, movements must pass through the handstand. Gymnasts often mount the Uneven Bars using a springboard, or a small mat. Chalk and grips (a leather strip with holes for fingers to protect hands and improve performance) may be used while doing this event. The chalk helps take the moisture out of gymnast's hands to decrease friction and prevent rips, dowel grips help gymnasts grip the bar.

Balance beam
File:Dorina Böczögő, balance beam, 2013.jpg
Main article: Balance beam

The gymnast performs a choreographed routine of up to 90 seconds in length consisting of leaps, acrobatic skills, somersaults, turns and dance elements on a padded beam. The beam is Script error: No such module "convert". from the ground, Script error: No such module "convert". long, and Script error: No such module "convert". wide.[8] The event requires, in particular, balance, flexibility, poise and strength.

File:Double ring leap.jpg
Gymnast doing a stag leap on floor exercise.
Main article: Floor

In the past, the floor exercise event was executed on the bare floor or mats such as wrestling mats. Today, the floor event occurs on a carpeted 12m × 12m square, usually consisting of hard foam over a layer of plywood, which is supported by springs or foam blocks generally called a "spring" floor. This provides a firm surface that provides extra bounce or spring when compressed, allowing gymnasts to achieve extra height and a softer landing than would be possible on a standard floor. Gymnasts perform a choreographed routine up to 90 seconds in the floor exercise event. They must choose an accompanying music piece. In some gymnastic associations such as United States Association of Gymnastic Clubs (USAIGC), gymnasts are allowed to have vocals in their music[9] but at USA Gymnastics competitions a large deduction is taken from the score for having vocals in the music.[10] The routine should consist of tumbling lines, series of jumps, dance elements, acrobatic skills, and turns, or piviots, on one foot. A gymnast can perform up to four tumbling lines that usually includes at least one flight element without hand support. Each level of gymnastics requires the athlete to perform a different number of tumbling passes. In level 7 in the United States, a gymnast is required to do 2–3, and in levels 8–10, at least 3–4 tumbling passes are required.[11]

Artistic events for men

Main article: Floor

Male gymnasts also perform on a 12m. by 12m. spring floor. A series of tumbling passes are performed to demonstrate flexibility, strength, and balance. The gymnast must also show strength skills, including circles, scales, and press handstands. Men's floor routines usually have four passes that will total between 60–70 seconds and are performed without music, unlike the women's event. Rules require that male gymnasts touch each corner of the floor at least once during their routine.

Pommel horse
Main article: Pommel Horse


Still rings
Main article: Still Rings

The rings are suspended on wire cable from a point 5.75 meters from the floor, and adjusted in height so the gymnast has room to hang freely and swing. He must perform a routine demonstrating balance, strength, power, and dynamic motion while preventing the rings themselves from swinging. At least one static strength move is required, but some gymnasts may include two or three. A routine should have a dismount equal in difficulty to the difficulty of the routine as a whole.

Main article: Vault


Parallel bars
Main article: Parallel Bars
Parallel Bars
Men perform on two bars slightly further than a shoulder's width apart and usually 1.75m high while executing a series of swings, balances, and releases that require great strength and coordination.
Horizontal bar
Main article: Horizontal Bar

A 2.8 cm thick steel or fiberglass bar raised 2.5m above the landing area is all the gymnast has to hold onto as he performs giant swings or giants (revolutions around the bar in the handstand position), release skills, twists, and changes of direction. By using all of the momentum from giants and then releasing at the proper point, enough height can be achieved for spectacular dismounts, such as a triple-back salto. Leather grips are usually used to help maintain a grip on the bar.


Scoring (code of points)

Main article: Code of Points

A gymnast's score comes from deductions taken from their start value. The start value of a routine is based on the difficulty of the elements the gymnast attempts and whether or not the gymnast meets composition requirements. The composition requirements are different for each apparatus. This score is called the D score.[12] Deductions in execution and artistry are taken from 10.0. This score is called the E score.[13] The final score is calculated by taking deductions from the E score, and adding the result to the D score.[14] Since 2007, the scoring system has changed by adding bonus plus the execution and then adding those two together to get the final score.


In a tumbling pass, dismount or vault, landing is the final phase, following take off and flight [15] This is a critical skill in terms of execution in competition scores, general performance, and injury occurrence. Without the necessary magnitude of energy dissipation during impact, the risk of sustaining injuries during somersaulting increases. These injuries commonly occur at the lower extremities and include; cartilage lesions, ligament tears, and bone bruises/fractures.[16] To avoid such injuries, and to receive a high performance score, proper technique must be used by the gymnast. "The subsequent ground contact or impact landing phase must be achieved using a safe, aesthetic and well-executed double foot landing." [17] A successful landing in gymnastics is classified as soft, meaning the knee and hip joints are at greater than 63 degrees of flexion.[15]

A higher flight phase results in a higher vertical ground reaction force. Vertical ground reaction force represents external force which the gymnasts have to overcome with their muscle force and has an impact on the gymnasts linear and angular momentum. Another important variable that affects linear and angular momentum is time the landing takes Gymnasts can alter the shape of the area by increasing the time taken to perform the landing. Gymnasts can achieve this by increasing hip, knee and ankle amplitude.[15] With the increase of height, the amplitude in ankles knees and hips rise the bars.

Rhythmic gymnastics

Main article: Rhythmic gymnastics



Rhythmic gymnastics events

File:Galima Shugurova 1973.jpg
Soviet Galina Shugurova performing an Attitude balance in her ball apparatus
It is made of either rubber or synthetic material (pliable plastic) provided it possesses the same elasticity as rubber. It is from 18 to 20 cm in diameter and must have a minimum weight of 400g. The ball can be of any colour and should rest in the gymnast's hand, not the wrist. Fundamental elements of a ball routine include throwing, bouncing, and rolling. The gymnast must use both hands and work on the whole floor area while showing continuous flowing movement. The ball is to emphasize the gymnasts flowing lines and body difficulty.
A hoop is an apparatus in rhythmic gymnastics and may be made of plastic or wood, provided that it retains its shape during the routine. The interior diameter is from 51 to 90 cm, and the hoop must weigh a minimum of 300g. The hoop may be of a natural colour or be partially of fully covered by one or several colours, and it may be covered with adhesive tape either of the same or different colour as the hoop. Fundamental requirements of a hoop routine include rotation around the hand or body and rolling, as well as swings, circles, throws, and passes through and over the hoop. The routines in hoop involves mastery in both apparatus handling and body difficulty like leaps, jumps and pivots.
It is made of satin or another similar material cloth of any colour and may be multi-coloured as well as have designs on it. The ribbon itself must be at least 35g (1 oz), 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4") in width and for senior category a minimum length of 6m (20') (5m (16.25') for juniors). The ribbon must be in one piece. The end that is attached to the stick is doubled for a maximum length of 1m (3'). This is stitched down both sides. At the top, a very thin reinforcement or rows of machine stitching for a maximum length of 5 cm is authorized. This extremity may end in a strap, or have an eyelet (a small hole, edged with buttonhole stitch or a metal circle), to permit attaching the ribbon. The ribbon is fixed to the stick by means of a supple attachment such as thread, nylon cord, or a series of articulated rings. The attachment has a maximum length of 7 cm (2.8"), not counting the strap or metal ring at the end of the stick where it will be fastened. Compulsory elements for the ribbon include flicks, circles, snakes and spirals, and throws. It requires a high degree of co-ordination to form the spirals and circles as any knots which may accidentally form in the ribbon are penalised. During a ribbon routine, large, smooth and flowing movements are looked for.
Multi-piece clubs are the most popular clubs. The club is built along an internal rod, providing a base on which a handle made of polyolefin plastic is wrapped, providing an airspace between it and the internal rod. This airspace provides flex, cushioning impact, making the club softer on the hands. Foam ends and knobs further cushion the club. Multi-piece clubs are made in both a thin European style or larger bodied American style and in various lengths, generally ranging from 19 to 21 inches (480 to 530 mm). The handles and bodies are typically wrapped with decorative plastics and tapes. The skills involved are apparatus mastery and body elements, Clubs are thrown from alternate hands; each passes underneath the other clubs and is caught in the opposite hand to the one from which it was thrown. At its simplest, each club rotates once per throw, the handle moving down and away from the throwing hand at first. However, double and triple spins are frequently performed, allowing the club to be thrown higher for more advanced patterns and to allow tricks such as 360s to be performed underneath.

Trampolining and tumbling

File:WAGC DMT.jpg
Double mini-trampoline competitor


Trampolining and tumbling consists of four events, individual and synchronized trampoline, double mini trampoline, and tumbling (also known as power tumbling or rod floor[citation needed]). Since 2000, individual trampoline has been included in the Olympic Games.

Individual trampoline


Synchronized trampoline


Double-mini trampoline

Double mini trampoline involves a smaller trampoline with a run-up, two moves are performed per routine. Moves cannot be repeated in the same order on the double-mini during a competition. Skills can be repeated if a skill is competed as a mounter in one routine and a dismount in another. The scores are marked in a similar manner to individual trampoline.



Acrobatic gymnastics

Acrobatic Women's Pair performing a skill.
Main article: Acrobatic gymnastics





Aerobic gymnastics

Main article: Aerobic gymnastics


Other disciplines


Aesthetic group gymnastics

Aesthetic Group Gymnastics (AGG) is developed from the Finnish "naisvoimistelu". It differs from Rhythmic Gymnastics through its big and continuous body movement and larger teams. Apparatus are not used in international AGG competitions compared to Rhythmic Gymnastics where ball, ribbon, hoop abnd clubs are used on the floor area. The sport requires physical qualities such as flexibility, balance, speed, strength, coordination and sense of rhythm where movements of the body are emphasized in the flow, expressive and aesthetic appeal. A good performance is characterized by uniformity and simultaneity. The competition program consists of versatile and varied body movements, such as body waves and swings, balances and pivots, jumps and leaps, dance steps, and lifts. The International Federation of Aesthetic Group Gymnastics (IFAGG) was established in 2003.[19]

Aesthetic Group Gymnastic teams consist of a minimum of six- and a maximum of 10 (12) gymnasts, who perform a program from 2.15-2.45 minutes. An over- or under run of 5 sec is though permitted. The International Federation of Aesthetic Group Gymnastics is divided into two age categories: Junior Category Gymnasts that are at the age of 14 – 16 years and Senior Category Gymnasts that are over 16 years old. The competition dress of a group must be a leotard with aesthetic appeal considering the spirit of competitive sport. The size of the competition area, which is a gymnastics carpet, is 13 m x 13 m. The area should be used diverse.


The origins of Aesthetic Group Gymnastics date back to 1950. The sport was originally developed in Finland and Estonia. In Finland, the sport follows the rules of The Finnish Gymnastics Federation, which is one of Finland's largest sport federations, with 381 clubs consisting of approximately 122,000 members.[20]


According to the rules of The Finnish Gymnastics Federation, in the spring teams compete with programs without apparatus and on the fall with programs including apparatus, which is dependent on the age category. The teams are divided into age groups in both series; the age categories in the championship series are 12-14, 14-16, and 16+. The equivalent categories in the competition series are: 12-14, 14-16, 16-20, and women's category 18+. Younger than 12 years old compete in the same series, and after that decide in which series they want to participate in. In the autumn competitions the apparatus are following:

Championship series Competition series
<10: Apparatus of own choice <10: Apparatus of own choice
10-12: Rope/ ball 10-12: Rope/ ball
12-14: Hoop 12-14: Rope/ ball/ hoop
14-16: Clubs 14> : Rope/ ball/ hoop/ clubs/ ribbon
16>: Rope/ ball/ hoop/ clubs/ ribbon

The jury is composed of three judges: technical, artistical, and execution. The technical jury will assess the difficulty of the required parts, balances, jumps, body movements, as well as other required parts. The artistical jury evaluates the structure, diversity and artistic creativity of the program. The jury will judge the formation of figures, music, the talent level of the group, and performance in rhythm. The executive jury evaluates the simultaneous and the technique of the performance.

The points are given in categories for the age group10-12 years. It consists of 10 categories, which of 1 is the highest and 10 the lowest category. The championship series in the age group 12–14 years get points, in the same way as the elder age groups in the championship series. The highest total score is 20.00 points consisting of: Technical 5.9 (+ 0.1 bonus), Artistical 3.9 (+ 0,1 bonus), and Execution 9.9 (+ 0,1 bonus).[21]

The competition series in the age group 12–14 years get categories from A to E, which of A is the highest and E the lowest category. Each judge give a score* according to which teams will be placed in a category. *The highest total score is 20.00 points consisting of: Technical 4.9 (+ 0.1 bonus), Artistical 4.8(+ 0,2 bonus), and Execution 9.9 (+ 0,1 bonus).[21]

Men's rhythmic gymnastics




The TeamGym competition is a form of competiion created by the within the European Union of Gymnastics. The first official competition was held in Finland in 1996 and it takes place every even-numbered year. TeamGym is a team competition for clubs and consist of three sections: women, men and mixed teams. TeamGym competitions exhibit gymnastic skills in three different disciplines; floor, tumbling and trampette. In common for the performance is effective teamwork, good technique in the element and spectacular acrobatic elements.[22]

Floor Programme
All members of the Team take part in the floor program, composed of a mixture of dance, flexibility and skill. The routine has to be skillfully choreographed and the judges look out for changes in shape. There needs to be at least two spins, two jumps/leaps, two acrobatic elements, two balance/power elements, two section elements and one combination of elements. These section elements are bodywaves for women's teams, power elements for men's teams and lifts for mixed teams. Floor routines are performed to music.
There are two components of this section of this programme. Vault with the trampette and trampette on its own. Six gymnasts perform each run and they use a technique known as 'streaming' which means performing very close together eg. one person hits the trampette and the next starts running. At least one of the three total runs that the gymnasts make, must be a vault run. Generally the first round is chosen for each individual gymnast to perform the same move.
Again, here there are three runs (rounds) involved. One of which has to include all six gymnasts doing a forwards series. Another run also has to include the gymnasts completing the same move. Each series must have at least three different acrobatic elements.

Non-competitive gymnastics


Former apparatus and events

Rope (rhythmic gymnastics)

Main article: Rope


Rope climbing

Main article: Rope climbing

Generally, competitors climbed either a 6m (6.1m = 20 ft in USA) or an 8m (7.6m = 25 ft in USA), 38mm (1.5") diameter natural fiber rope for speed, starting from a seated position on the floor and using only the hands and arms. Kicking the legs in a kind of "stride" was normally permitted. Many gymnasts can do this in the straddle or pike position, which eliminates the help generated from the legs though it can be done with legs as well.

Flying rings

Main article: Flying rings


Popular culture




See also


  1. ^ γυμνός, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus project
  2. ^ γυμνάζω, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus project
  4. ^ Artistic Gymnastics History at
  5. ^ Fimrite, Ron (1996-07-25). "Practice made her perfect". 
  6. ^ a b [1]
  7. ^ "Vault: Everything You Need to know about Vault". Retrieved 2009-10-04. 
  9. ^ USAIGC Women's Rhythmic
  10. ^ USA Gymnastics
  15. ^ a b c Marinsek, M. (2010). Basic Landing. 59-67.
  18. ^ Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique, Code of Points – Rhythmic Gymnastics 2009–2012
  19. ^ Lajiesittely, Suomen Voimisteluliitto.
  20. ^ Liitto, Suomen Voimisteluliitto.
  21. ^ a b Säännöt, Suomen Voimisteluliitto.
  22. ^ TeamGym, British Gymnastics
  23. ^ "Gymnastics 101 - Group Gymnastics and Gymnastics For All". USA Gymnastics. Retrieved 2011-12-29. 

External links
