The basics of artistic gymnastics

Artistic gymnastics is a sport that consists of several programs performed on different apparatuses. The length of such performances is 30 to 90 seconds. The International Gymnastics Federation as well as the regional federations regulate this sport.

Men and women

There are different apparatuses that are used in gymnastics. Some of them are used by men, others are common for women gymnastics, whereas there are several apparatuses that are used by sportsmen of both genders.

The vault is an event that requires using a runway, a springboard, the vault itself and the vaulting platform. A gymnast has to run down the runway to reach the highest speed possible. The length of this runway may reach 25 meters. After that, it is necessary to leap onto a springboard and then direct one’s body towards the vault. In the end of the program, a gymnast lands on the vaulting platform and rotates his or her body. Several factors can affect the success of the performance, including the speed of rotation and the run, the power generated by the legs and the length of the hurdle.

Another gymnastics discipline in which both men and women can compete is the floor exercise. There must be a square covered with a carpet. Its length is 12 meters. The spring floor, i.e. the carpeted square, is covered with some hard foam over plywood. This surface is perfect for gymnastics as it is thick and allows sportsmen to achieve a soft landing and reach extra height. The competitions involve demonstrating one’s power, flexibility and balance by performing a routine consisting of acrobatic and dance elements, turns and various jumps.

Men only

There are several apparatuses that are used by men only. The first one is the pommel horse. This apparatus lets a gymnast to work with one or both legs. If we speak of the single leg skills, they are usually demonstrated with the help of an element called ‘scissors’. Yet, double leg skills are the most impressive part of the routine. These elements involve doing clockwise motions in their initial form or with other elements added. In the end of the routine, gymnasts swing their body over the horse.

Another discipline in artistic gymnastics is the still rings. The construction comprises two rings attached to wire cables hanging from a metal frame. They are adjustable, which means that each sportsman feels comfortable when performing a routine. The purpose of the still rings is to show one’s balance and strength.

Parallel bars are an example of the apparatus that exists in both women and men gymnastics but have some differences. The bars that are called ‘parallel’ are basically two bars located at a shoulder’s width. They are situated at the height of 175 centimeters. The sportsmen perform various elements that are aimed at demonstration of their coordination, balance and strength.

The last discipline in which only men compete is the horizontal bar, which is often referred to as the high bar. What is meant by this term? It is basically a thick bar made of steel and razed high above the ground. Gymnasts have to hold onto the bar while performing various twists, giants and changes of direction. The dismounts may be spectacular: the most impressive one is when a gymnast does a triple-back flip and land on the surface.

Women only

As for women gymnastics, there are very few disciplines in which only women compete. They are the balance beam and the uneven bars. The beam is an apparatus that comprises a wooden bar raised above the ground. Gymnasts have to perform a program full of various elements. The length of such programs is 70 to 90 seconds. The elements performed on the beam include leaps, turns, acrobatic and dance moves.

The uneven bars were adapted from the parallel bars used by men. This apparatus was demonstrated in 1928 for the first time. The bars are preset at different heights and are adjustable to the sportswoman’s height. When performing, gymnasts do circling and swingling moves along with various handstand positions.

Competitions

There are many famous championships. They are divided into three groups: global, national and regional. Gymnastics is by far one of the most popular events that take place at the Summer Olympic Games. Another important competition is the World Championship, which is held every two years. All-Africa Games, European Games and Central American and Caribbean Games are among the most well-known regional competitions. Finally, most countries arrange annual competitions known as ‘Nationals’.

Nowadays, the Olympics and the World Championship have a system of holding the competition. The whole championship is divided into several parts, each of them takes place on different days. There are four sessions.

The qualification session involves competing on four or six apparatuses for women and men, respectively. Although the score in this round does not affect the result of the whole competition, this stage helps to predict, which teams will take part in the finals and which gymnasts will take part in event finals. In 2020, a few changes were made. Each country can send six gymnasts to the competitions. Four of them perform as a team, whereas two of them are individual sportsmen. The scores of the individual sportsmen are not added to the team score.

The team finals involve all participants of the national squad. The current format is 4-4-3. According to the rules, four sportsmen compete in a team, while only three of them are allowed to demonstrate their abilities on each event. The score of each sportsman count.

The all-around finals are fully dedicated to individual competitions. In terms of this stage, individual sportsmen perform on all apparatus. After they demonstrate their abilities on each apparatus, their scores are counted. A gymnast with the highest total score becomes the winner.

Two sportsmen from each country participating in the championship advance to the next stage, which is the event final. This is when they fight for their medals.

History

Gymnastics as a set of various exercises has a lasting history. It appeared in Ancient China and India and was used for medical purposes. In Greece, gymnastics served as a way of preparing sportsmen for the Olympics. In the end of the 18th century, gymnastics was a part of education in many countries. Only in the 19th century, in some European countries the first competitions were held. Nowadays, gymnastics is a popular sport that became an Olympic discipline.

All in all, artistic gymnastic is a sport that has many peculiarities. There are many disciplines that take place in terms of gymnastics competitions. The championships themselves have a complicated format as well.