According to USA Gymnastics, the sole national governing body of the sport, gymnastics has been around for more than 2,000 years. In the 1800s, competitions and exhibitions were conducted in schools and athletic clubs across Europe. The sport reached the United States by the 1830s. At first, gymnasts were only men, and a list of sports included the horizontal bar, parallel bars, pommel horse and the vault. In 1928, the first women's gymnast event was introduced.
Vault
Performed both by men and women gymnasts, the vault event consists of competitors running down a runway then jumping off a springboard. The gymnasts propels themselves toward then off the vault apparatus and perform various moves while up in the air, including twists, spins and flips. Event judges look for proper body alignment, height and distance traveled as well as the difficulty of the moves performed. The sport is conducted either individually or as a team.
Floor Exercise
Another event performed both by men and women gymnasts, the floor exercise provides gymnasts a chance to express themselves through choreography and music selection. Throughout the floor exercise routine, gymnasts incorporate various amounts of tumbling, flips and jumps, along with dance moves. It is important that gymnasts use the entire floor area while performing their routine. Other events may specify other details the floor routine must have, such as the amount of tumbling, leaps and turns.
Balance Beam
Performed by women gymnasts, the balance beam entails gymnasts performing various artistic and athletic elements while balancing on a platform that is 4 inches wide. Typically, a balance beam routine lasts no more than 90 seconds. Some events may specify the details each balance beam routine must have, such as a 360-degree turn on one foot or a forward split. A fall off the balance beam results in deduction of one point on the overall gymnasts score of 10.
Pommel Horse
Performed by male gymnasts, the pommel horse is considered one of the most difficult events in men's gymnastics. Gymnasts must continually spin their body around the pommel horse apparatus. Only a scissor move, in which the gymnast appears to use his legs like a pair of scissors over the apparatus, may interrupt the routine. Only the hands are allowed to make contact with the pommel horse. Gymnasts may perform a series of acrobatic movements, such as a handstand.
Uneven and Parallel Bars
As its title suggests, the uneven bars are a pair of bars at different heights. Performed by women gymnasts, the event entails a routine full of spins, twists, turns and release moves. The routine must be smooth and uninterrupted without any pauses or extra swings. The routine ends when the gymnast performs a dismount that may include twists and turns. Men gymnasts perform a similar routine, although their event is held on a pair of parallel bars.
Horizontal Bar
Performed by men gymnasts, the horizontal bar event involves a series of spins, twist and high-flying hand release moves all on one bar. The gymnast must continually swing around the bar as he performs the routine. Some events may specify the elements that must be included in the routine, such as a dorsal hang. The event ends when the gymnast performs a dismount that may include somersaults, twists and turns.
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