Gymnastics

Trampolining is a sport where athletes perform acrobatic moves while bouncing on a trampoline. Competitors jump to great heights and execute skills such as flips, twists, and somersaults while maintaining control and balance. Routines are judged based on difficulty, execution, and how well the moves are connected. In competitive trampolining, athletes must show precision and body control to perform clean landings and maintain a steady rhythm. The sport requires strong coordination, aerial awareness, and flexibility, making it both physically demanding and visually impressive.

A split is a position in gymnastics, dance, and other sports where the legs are stretched in opposite directions until they form a straight line. It can be done with one leg extended forward and the other backward, called a front split, or with both legs stretched sideways, called a middle split. Performing a split requires flexibility in the hips, legs, and lower back. Athletes train to achieve a full split by gradually improving their flexibility through stretching exercises.

A pike is a body position used in gymnastics, diving, trampolining, and other sports where the legs are kept straight and lifted toward the upper body while the torso bends forward at the hips. The arms usually reach toward the legs, and the back remains straight. This position is often used in jumps, flips, and transitions to create a controlled and compact shape. A pike requires flexibility, core strength, and proper technique to maintain balance and stability during movement. It is commonly seen in routines where precision and body control are important.

A piqué turn is a move where a dancer or athlete steps onto one foot and spins while keeping the other leg lifted, usually with the knee bent and the foot placed near the supporting leg. The movement begins with a quick step onto the toes, followed by a controlled turn, often performed in a series. This turn requires balance, strong leg muscles, and precise coordination to maintain smooth motion. Piqué turns are commonly used in ballet and other dance styles to add elegance and fluidity to performances.

A straddle is a gymnastics position where the legs are spread wide apart while keeping them straight, forming a V shape. The upper body can remain upright, lean forward, or be lifted off the ground in skills like jumps, holds, and transitions. Straddles are commonly used in leaps, handstands, and swings on various apparatuses. This position requires flexibility in the hips and legs, as well as control to maintain proper form. Gymnasts train to improve their straddle to achieve greater extension and precision in their movements.

A handstand is a gymnastics and acrobatic move where the body is turned upside down, supported by the hands while the legs are extended upward, forming a straight line from the head to the feet. The hands are placed on the ground, and the core muscles are engaged to maintain balance and stability. Handstands require strength in the shoulders, arms, and core, as well as coordination and control to stay balanced. This move is used in various gymnastics routines, as well as in yoga and other disciplines, to demonstrate strength and body control.

An all-around in gymnastics refers to a competition where athletes perform in multiple events, showcasing their skills in different areas of gymnastics. For men, this includes the floor exercise, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar. For women, the events are vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. The gymnast's scores from each event are combined to determine their overall score. Success in an all-around competition requires a balance of strength, flexibility, technique, and versatility, as the athlete must perform well in all areas to win.

A floor exercise is a gymnastics event where athletes perform a choreographed routine on a padded, square mat. The routine includes acrobatic moves such as flips, jumps, and tumbling, combined with dance elements that demonstrate coordination and creativity. The performance is set to music and must showcase the gymnast’s strength, flexibility, and artistic expression. Gymnasts are judged on the difficulty of their moves, the execution, and how well they maintain rhythm and form throughout the routine. The floor exercise is performed by both men and women in gymnastics competitions.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is the global governing body for the sport of gymnastics. It is responsible for overseeing competitions, setting the rules and regulations, and promoting the development of gymnastics worldwide. The FIG organizes major international events, such as the World Gymnastics Championships and the gymnastics competitions at the Olympic Games. The federation also works to ensure fairness and consistency in judging, as well as supporting the growth of gymnastics at all levels, from basic to elite competition. Founded in 1881, the FIG is one of the oldest international sports organizations.