Gymnastics

Gymnastics is a sport that involves exercises requiring balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and endurance. The movements involved in gymnastics contribute to the development of the arms, legs, shoulders, back, chest, and abdominal muscle groups.

History

The origins of gymnastics date back to ancient Greece, where it was used to train soldiers in strength, agility, and discipline. The modern form of gymnastics, as we know it today, was developed in the late 18th and early 19th centuries by two pioneers, Friedrich Ludwig Jahn of Germany and Johann Christoph Friedrich GutsMuths.

Types of Gymnastics

There are several types of gymnastics, including artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline, acrobatic gymnastics, aerobic gymnastics, and parkour.

Artistic Gymnastics

Artistic gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics where gymnasts perform short routines on different apparatus, with less time for vaulting.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnastics is a women-only event in which gymnasts perform on a floor with a rope, hoop, ball, clubs, or ribbon.

Trampoline

In Trampoline, gymnasts perform flips and twists in mid-air during routines, scoring points for landing on specific areas of the trampoline.

Acrobatic Gymnastics

Acrobatic gymnastics involves groups of gymnasts working together to perform routines.

Aerobic Gymnastics

Aerobic gymnastics involves high-intensity movement patterns set to music.

Parkour

Parkour is a non-competitive discipline and philosophy where practitioners move through their environment in a fluid, efficient manner.

Training

Training for gymnastics is rigorous and requires a significant amount of dedication and time. It often begins in childhood and continues through adulthood.

Competitions

Gymnastics competitions are governed by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), which oversees the World Championships and the gymnastics events at the Olympics.

See Also

• International Gymnastics Federation
• Artistic gymnastics
• Rhythmic gymnastics
• Trampoline
• Acrobatic gymnastics
• Aerobic gymnastics
• Parkour

Gymnastics Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? WikiMD's DocFinder can help find general and specialist physicians.	Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials.