ALL ABOUTS GYMNASTICS

Gymnastics is a sport which includes balance, flexibility, coordination, strength and endurance. Which derives from the ancient Greek which means combinations of  exercises, combines physical skills such as body control, coordination, gracefulness, and strength with tumbling and acrobatic skills, all performed in an artistic manner. Gymnastics is performed by both men and women for clubs, schools, colleges and universities, national and international competitions.

The Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) is the governing body for Gymnastics in worldwide. It counts 146 national member federations and has its headquarters in the Olympic capital of Lausanne in Switzerland.

Basically gymnastics are classified into seven types include-

Artistic gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnastics

Trampoline gymnastics

Tumbling gymnastics

Acrobatics gymnastics

Aerobic gymnastics

Parkour

Disciplines which are currently not recognized by FIG include wheel gymnastics, aesthetic group gymnastics, men’s rhythmic gymnastics, teamgym and mallakhamb.

Modern international gymnastics competition has six events for men and four events for women. The men's events are the roman rings, parallel bars, horizontal bar, pommel-horse, vaulting horse, and floor exercise. These events combine graceful, dancelike movements with strength and acrobatic skills. Now days acrobatics, aerobics, tumbling and trampoline exercises are also included in many competitions.

Another type of modern gymnastics for women is called rhythmic gymnastics. In which  Acrobatic skills are not used. The rhythmic gymnast performs graceful, dancelike movements while holding and moving items such as a ball, hoop, rope, ribbon, or Indian clubs, with music. Routines are performed individually or in group with music.

Another type of gymnastics is called acrobatics gymnastics. In which gymnasts perform together consisting of acrobatics moves, dance and music within specific time. In acrobatics gymnastics there are three types of routine i.e Balance, Dynamic and combined. Balance routine consists of skill like static holds, poses and pyramids.In Dynamic routine consists of skills that show flight, landing, throws, catches, back and forward saults and twists. And last combined  routine consists of a combination of both balance and dynamic elements. And five group categories including  men’s pair which consisting of one base and one top. Second routine is women’s pair which consisting of one base and one top.Third routine is mixed pair which consisting of one male base and one female top. Fourth routine is women’s group which consisting of  one base,one middle and one top.And last routine is men’s group which consisting of base, two middle and one top. All routines are performed in music and take place on a floor area.

Aerobics is also a types  of gymnastics.Aerobic gymnastics is the ability to perform elements which are complex and high intensity. Which originate from traditional aerobic exercises. The routine must involve continuous movement, flexibility and strength with music. There are seven different events under aerobics gymnastics Like-

Individual male

Individual female

Mixed pair

Trios

Groups(b/w 4 to 6)

Step and dance group(b/w 5 to 10)

Another types of gymnastics is trampoline and tumbling gymnastics. Trampoline and tumbling gymnastics including movement of  artistics elements with execution. Trampoline and Tumbling is a gymnastics discipline which founded in 1936 and includes four events: Individual Trampoline, Double Mini Trampoline, Power Tumbling, and Synchronized Trampoline. The same gymnast is allowed to compete in different disciplines under trampoline and tumbling gymnastics.