| Know About Events Involved In Women Gymnastics |
|
Gymnastics is a sport that requires great agility, balance and refined power in order to perform various acrobatic maneuvers. Since ancient times, gymnastics was primarily the domain of men but in ancient Greek, women were allowed to participate in the sport. However, with the coming of the Romans and the Roman Catholic Empire, women gymnastics gradually subsided and was banished for the next 1800 years.
It was only in the 20th century that sport again found acceptance. But by that time, the damage had been done. There were not many takers for the sport. Most athletes that participated in Olympics and other modern day game events belonged to the elite classes where women were still not allowed to venture into the domain of sport. However, a gradual increase of professionalism in sport led to the inclusion of women sport in game events. Among the sports opened for women, women gymnastics had the highest ranking. Today, women gymnastics is a sport separate from men’s gymnastics. In all major game events, there are different events prescribed for men and women. For women, there are only four exercises prescribed as compared to six for men. These four prescribed routines are floor, vault, balance beam and uneven bars. The routine of floor exercises takes place on a carpeted 12mX12m floor. Female gymnasts are required to perform a pre-choreographed exercise routine. The length of this sequence is around 90 seconds. The exercise routine features series of jumps, tumbling passes, acrobatic skills, dance elements, and turns. The sequence is generally accompanied by a non-vocal music score. The routine of vaulting is a three stage sequence. First sequence is the run up to the spring board. The second sequence is to spring from this springboard onto a vaulting horse, generally in an inverted position on both hands. The final sequence is all about landing on both feet on a cushioned landing platform. Balance beam is a padded sprung beam is 500 cm (16' 5") long, 125 cm (4' 1") high, and 10 cm (4") wide. Women gymnasts are required to perform a 60 to 80 second exercise routine comprising of elements like somersaults, leaps, turns, acrobatic skills and dance elements. The hallmark of the event is the level of agility, balance and strength that is required to complete the routine. The final routine is that of uneven bars. Uneven bars, also known as asymmetric bars, are a set of flexible bars set at uneven heights. The apparatus is generally of a fixed height but gymnasts can adjust the width between the bars according to their preference. The routine on uneven bars involves movements such as circling, swinging, transitional, and release moves. These moves may pass over, under, and between the two bars. Women gymnastics is considered to be an attractive sport. The sight of attractive young ladies performing some really remarkably exercises sequence to the accompaniment of some really good music makes up a really enthralling spectacle. Related Articles
|