Acrobatic gymnastics

Acrobatic gymnastics is a competitive discipline of gymnastics where partnerships of gymnasts work together and perform routines consisting of acrobatic skills, dance and tumbling, set to music. The sport is governed by World Gymnastics. There are three types of routines: a 'balance' routine, where the focus is on strength, poise and flexibility; a 'dynamic' routine, which includes throws, somersaults and catches, and a 'combined' routine which includes elements from both balance and dynamic.

Acrobatic gymnasts perform in one of five units: pairs (same-gender or mixed) or same-gender groups (three for women, four for men). In each partnership, the gymnasts' different sizes and abilities will be balanced to complement each other in order to carry out the complex moves. Some will mainly carry out supporting and pitching roles and are known as bases. They are then balanced with usually smaller gymnasts who become the 'tops'. In men's and women's groups there are also one or two 'middles', who are like another base who usually will support the top while balancing on the base.

In competition, partnerships perform a routine to music, which has usually been choreographed specifically for them. The gymnasts carry out their acrobatic moves and combine them with dance, all in time to and in keeping with the style of the music. Partnerships are judged on artistry/dance, execution of skills, and difficulty of skills, with the scoring emphasis on execution.

The rules for the sport, known as the Code of Points, are governed by the FIG. These rules are subject to change every four years in line with the Olympic cycle, as in other disciplines of gymnastics.

History

Acrobatics have been entertained for thousands of years, from festivals to early circuses and vaudeville acts. The sport began in the Soviet Union in the 1930s, with the first competition held in 1939. After a pause during World War II, the first women's event took place in 1940.

The first international competition happened in 1957, and the International Federation of Sports Acrobatics was created in 1973. The first world championships were held in 1974. Today, acrobatic gymnastics is governed by the FIG and is known by its current name since 2007. In the United States, the sport is part of USA Gymnastics.

Competitions

Acrobatic gymnastics is part of the World Games and the European Games, and it has its own Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships, held every two years. There are also many competitions in different countries, and local contests often decide who can compete at bigger national events.

There are four age groups for competitors, ranging from younger athletes to seniors. Each group has its own level of difficulty in routines. Gymnasts can only compete in one level and one team type at a time.

Routines

In acrobatic gymnastics, teams perform different kinds of routines. There are three main types: balance, dynamic, and combined. Balance routines focus on holding still poses that show strength and flexibility, while dynamic routines include flips and throws where one gymnast lifts and spins another. The combined routine mixes both balance and dynamic moves.

These routines include tumbling and dance, and each has its own time length. Balance routines last about two minutes and forty seconds, dynamic routines about two minutes, and combined routines about two minutes and thirty seconds, depending on the competition level.

Scoring

The final score of an acrobatic gymnastics routine is calculated by adding up the difficulty, execution, and artistry scores, and then subtracting any penalties. For senior gymnasts, the difficulty score can be as high as they can make it, while execution and artistry start at 10 points and are lowered for mistakes. The execution score is very important because it is doubled in the final score.

Difficulty is how hard the moves are that the gymnasts perform. Senior gymnasts can perform as many difficult moves as they want. Execution is how well the gymnasts perform their moves, and artistry looks at how well they work together, use the music, and create a fun routine. Penalties are taken away from the score for things like height differences between partners, going off the floor, or not holding poses long enough.

Judging

In acrobatic gymnastics, judges evaluate routines in three main ways. Some judges look at how difficult the moves are, while others focus on how well the routine is performed and how artistic it looks. There are also judges who decide how many points to take away if the gymnasts do not perform their moves perfectly. All these judges work together under the guidance of a head judge.

Main articles: Gymnastics at the Summer Olympics, World Gymnastics Championships

Safety

Gymnasts train with safety mats and spotting belts to stay safe during practice. Gymnasiums need high ceilings to prevent gymnasts from hitting their heads when performing high moves. Bases often keep their hair short or use chalk to help tops maintain a firm grip during routines.

Most injuries in acrobatic gymnastics happen in the lower body, like knees and ankles, with wrist injuries also being common. Ligament injuries are frequent, and bases often face overuse injuries, while tops may suffer from sudden injuries like fractures or sprains.