Gymnastics

Gymnastics is a group of sport that includes physical exercises requiring balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, artistry and endurance. It helps develop the arms, legs, shoulders, back, chest, and abdominal muscle groups. The sport began with exercises used by the ancient Greeks for skills like mounting and dismounting a horse.

The most common form of competitive gymnastics is artistic gymnastics. For women, the events include floor, vault, uneven bars, and balance beam. For men, events include floor, vault, rings, pommel horse, parallel bars, and horizontal bar.

The world governing body for competition in gymnastics is World Gymnastics. They oversee many gymnastics disciplines, including rhythmic gymnastics, trampolining, tumbling, acrobatic, aerobic, parkour and para-gymnastics. Gymnastics is enjoyed by participants of all ages and skill levels, from young children to experienced athletes.

Etymology

The word gymnastics comes from an ancient Greek word meaning "to train naked." In ancient times, athletes trained and competed without clothing, which is why the word has this meaning today.

History

Gymnastics began in Ancient Greece, where people exercised to stay healthy and strong. Young men trained without clothes, which is why the word "gymnastics" comes from a Greek verb meaning "to train naked." Over time, gymnastics evolved and became more organized, especially after the Romans took over Greece.

In the 1800s, people in different countries started creating new gymnastics equipment and schools. By 1896, gymnastics was part of the first modern Olympic Games. Today, gymnastics includes many different events for both men and women, and it is popular all around the world.

FIG-recognized disciplines

See also: List of gymnastics competitions and Major achievements in gymnastics by nation

The following disciplines are governed by FIG.

Artistic gymnastics

Main article: Artistic gymnastics

Artistic gymnastics is usually divided into men's and women's gymnastics. Men compete on six events: floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar, while women compete on four: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise.

Rhythmic gymnastics

Main article: Rhythmic gymnastics

According to FIG rules, only women compete in rhythmic gymnastics. This sport combines elements of ballet, gymnastics, dance, and apparatus manipulation. Gymnasts compete either as individuals or in groups.

Trampolining

Main article: Trampolining

Trampolining and tumbling consists of several events, including individual and synchronized trampoline, double mini trampoline, and tumbling. Since 2000, individual trampoline has been included in the Olympic Games.

Tumbling

Main article: Tumbling (sport)

In tumbling, athletes perform a series of flips and twists down a sprung tumbling track. Competition includes qualifying and finals rounds, with both individual and team events.

Acrobatic gymnastics

Main article: Acrobatic gymnastics

Acrobatic gymnastics is a group gymnastic discipline for both men and women. Acrobats perform to music in groups of two, three and four.

Aerobic gymnastics

Main article: Aerobic gymnastics

Aerobic gymnastics involves the performance of routines by individuals, pairs, trios, groups with 5 people, and aerobic dance and aerobic step (8 people). Strength, flexibility, and aerobic fitness are emphasized.

Parkour

Main article: Parkour

On 28 January 2018, parkour, also known as freerunning, was given the go-ahead to begin development as a FIG sport. The first Parkour World Championships took place from 15 to 16 October 2022 in Tokyo, Japan.

Para-gymnastics

Main article: Para-gymnastics

Para-gymnastics, gymnastics for disabled athletes, was recognized as a new FIG discipline in October 2024. As an FIG discipline, it currently only covers artistic gymnastics.

Other disciplines

The following disciplines are not currently recognized by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique.

Aesthetic group gymnastics

Main article: Aesthetic group gymnastics

Aesthetic Group Gymnastics (AGG) comes from a Finnish tradition. It is different from rhythmic gymnastics because athletes perform large, flowing movements in teams without using equipment. This sport needs skills like flexibility, balance, speed, and coordination. Performances focus on smooth, beautiful movements done together as a group. The first world competition for this sport took place in 2000.

TeamGym

Main article: TeamGym

TeamGym is a competitive sport started by the European Union of Gymnastics. It includes teams of men, women, or mixed groups who compete in floor exercises, tumbling, and trampoline skills. Teamwork and skill are very important in this sport. European Championships for TeamGym have been held since 2010.

Wheel gymnastics

Main article: Wheel gymnastics

Wheel gymnastics involves performing exercises using a large round frame called the Rhönrad or German wheel. Athletes move in straight lines, spirals, and other patterns while inside the wheel. The first world competition for this unique sport was held in 1995.

Mallakhamba

Main article: Mallakhamba

Mallakhamba is a traditional Indian sport where gymnasts perform tricks and poses around a tall wooden pole or rope. This sport combines strength and balance. In 2013, the state of Madhya Pradesh named mallakhamba its official state sport. The first world championship for mallakhamba was held in 2019.

Non-competitive gymnastics

General gymnastics, also called "gymnastics for all," lets people of all ages and abilities join performance groups of 6 to more than 150 athletes. It is more like a sports program or performing art than a competitive sport. Groups can perform many different gymnastics events one after another, such as still rings, synchronized trampoline, and even routines not normally in gymnastics competitions like aerial silk. They often perform synchronized, choreographed routines, and troupes can include both boys and girls, divided into different age groups.

The largest general gymnastics event is the World Gymnaestrada, held every four years, with the first one in 1939. In 1984, gymnastics for all was officially recognized by the International Gymnastic Federation and by national federations around the world. Today, it has over 30 million participants and is valued for its health benefits.

Scoring (code of points)

Main article: Code of Points

In gymnastics, a gymnast's score is made up of two parts. The first part is called the D score, which is based on how hard the moves in the routine are and if the routine follows the rules for that piece of equipment. The second part is called the E score, which looks at how well the gymnast performs the routine, including things like balance and control. The final score is found by adding the D score and the E score together.

Since 2006, gymnastics has used a system where the D score can keep going up if the moves are harder, so there isn’t a maximum score for difficulty. Before that year, the total score for a routine could not go above 10. The rules for scoring are updated a little every four years, especially around the Olympic Games.

Former apparatus and events

Rope climbing

Main article: Rope climbing

Rope climbing was a gymnastics event where athletes would climb a long rope as quickly as possible using only their hands and arms. They could start from a seated position on the floor and were allowed to kick their legs for help. Some gymnasts chose to climb in special positions that did not use leg help at all.

Flying rings

Main article: Flying rings

Flying rings was a gymnastics event where performers did stunts while swinging on rings. This event was official in college and amateur gymnastics until the early 1960s.

Club swinging

Club swinging, also known as Indian clubs, was a men's gymnastics event up until the 1950s. It involved using clubs in a simpler way compared to rhythmic gymnastics, with few throws allowed. This event was part of the 1904 and 1932 Summer Olympic Games.

Other (men's artistic)

• Team horizontal bar and parallel bar in the 1896 Summer Olympics
• Team free and Swedish system in the 1912 and 1920 Summer Olympics
• Combined and triathlon in the 1904 Summer Olympics
• Side horse vault in 1924 Summer Olympics
• Tumbling in the 1932 Summer Olympics

Other (women's artistic)

• Team exercise at the 1928, 1936, and 1948 Summer Olympics
• Parallel bars at the 1938 World Championships
• Team portable apparatus at the 1952 and 1956 Summer Olympics

Health and safety

Gymnastics can be a risky sport, especially for young athletes, and it requires careful training to stay safe. Some moves that used to be allowed are now banned because they caused too many injuries. Equipment has also been improved over time to help prevent accidents.

Landing is very important in gymnastics. Athletes must learn the right way to land to avoid hurting themselves. Proper landing helps reduce the chance of injuries to the legs and feet. Coaches work hard to teach gymnasts the best techniques for safe and effective landings. Regular strength training and careful practice can also help protect gymnasts from common injuries like wrist and foot problems.