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There are five different gymnastic sports which the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) puts on the program of The World Games. Is there a common theme to all five? You be judge: find out more about each one!
Spectacular and dynamic, practiced by men and women, 'acro' gymnastcis counts among the oldest sports known to man. The name dervies from the Greek 'acrobateo', 'to rise' or 'to go forth', and acrobatics were performed as early as 2100 B.C. Integrated into the FIG since 1999, acrobatic gymnastcis requires courage, strength and stamina, demanding flexibility and skill as well. The exercises are accompanied by music, in harmony to the gymnasts' choreography and body movements. Acrobatic gymnastics favors body control in various positions – both on the ground and in the air.
The events are Men's, Women's or Mixed Pairs, Women's Groups (3), and Men's Groups (4). Balance and tempo are key elements to the exercises in Pairs. Element combination is a determining factor for the value of the exercise. The Balance routine does not include flying elements and a balance must be held for a given time. The driving force of the Tempo routine is the flying element. If tempo in Groups is the same as in Pairs, the concept of balance is quite another matter. In fact, the forming of the impressive pyramids entails the highest of risks. Exercises are presented without music and regulations authorize the use of additional mats. Choreography and individual elements contribute to the whole of the exercise.
 Acrobatic gymnastics at The World Games 2005
Aerobic gymnastics focuses above all on the athlete's ability to perform continuous complex and high-intensity movement patterns to music. The purpose of aerobic dance, which is at the origin of the sport, is to improve cardiovascular endurance and fitness levels. The dance combines a series of aerobic movements – each with several repetitions – in order to involve different muscle groups, and to increase the heart rate. Due to these repetitive movements over extended periods of time, the only concern is to maintain body alignment. When the sport became a part of the gymnastics family, adding difficulty criteria was necessary to make it truly competitive.
The routines aerobatic gymnastics must therefore demonstrate continuous movement, flexibility, strength and utilization of the seven basic steps – plus perfectly executed elements of high-degree difficulty. The combination of the basic aerobic dance steps together with arm movement patterns – all performed to music – are to create dynamic, rhythmic and continuous sequences. The routines must be based on intensity – in keeping to traditional objectives – and exemplify the cardiovascular nature of aerobics. Elements performed at the floor level, which are generally of the highest difficulty, are limited to a maximum of six. The athletes should try to captivate their audience with their routines – but this is to be done in a sporting manner: without showmanship.
Aerobic gymnastics at The World Games 2005
Rhythmic gymnastics falls midway between art and sport. It is practiced exclusively by women and performed to music. The athletes use small hand apparatus: the rope, hoop, ribbon or clubs. The spectacular appeal of rhythmic gymnastics with its grace, harmony and beauty is enormous. At the world class level the difficulty of body movements performed in combination with skillful handling of the apparatus is fascinating. In order to get to this level, a rhythmic gymnast needs natural talent plus the ability to handle hard training which develops strength, flexibility, jumping abilities, spatial orientation, stamina, and great handling skills with the apparatus.
Rhythmic gymnastics is primarily about developing personal style and an ability to get one's own artistic message and charisma across to the audience. All routines are performed to music. During the exercise the apparatus must be in constant motion: movements with great variety of shape, amplitude, direction, plane and speed need to be performed. Composing the routines is based on including in it some fundamental groups of body movements and defined technical groups in apparatus usage.
Individual Rhythmic Gymnastics features in The World Games – the group event is on the Olympic program.
Rhythmic gymnastics at The World Games 2005
These two gymnastic sports could logically be grouped together. They do have many things in common. Trampoline gymnastics is an elite sport, one symbolizing freedom, flying and space, and it is associated with boldness, elegance and precision. The multiple somersaults and twists at a height of 8 meters and more require a fine technique, perfect body control and aesthetic movements. Trampolining is spectacular. It combines courage, elegance, agility, magic, youth.
The Double Mini Trampoline developed from the common Minitramp, it allows an even more acrobatic performance. After the run-up the competitors show one skill on the apparatus followed by a second skill onto a landing mat. Top-level athletes show double and triple somersaults with twists!
Tumbling is characterized by continuous speedy, complex, rhythmic hands to feet, feet to hands, and feet to feet acrobatics within six seconds on a dynamic track which is 25 meters long. Tumbling is a highly spectacular sport in which a perfect combination of speed, rhythm as well as somersaulting and twisting movements are required. A cocktail of virtuosity and controlled energy!
Trampoline gymnastics at The World Games 2005
Tumbling gymnastics at The World Games 2005
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Acrobatic gymnastics at The World Games 2005
