Gymnastics refers to the mastery and performance of methodical exercises that stress skill, form, agility, strength and coordination. The word gymnastics originated in ancient Greece to describe exercises performed in gymnasiums. Of the many exercises practiced in ancient forms of gymnastics, only tumbling and vaulting remain as part of gymnastics today. The International Gymnastics Federation lists five areas, or disciplines, within modern gymnastics. Each gymnastic area includes several standard activities, some of which require the use of equipment. Gymnasts, especially those who compete, often master all of the gymnastic areas.
Artistic
The Internal Gymnastic Federation splits artistic gymnastics into two disciplines, men and women. Women's artistic gymnastics includes four events: balance beam, floor exercise, uneven bars and vault. Men's artistic gymnastics includes six events: floor exercise, horizontal bar, parallel bars, pommel horse, still rings and vault. Floor routines include tumbling exercises. Other routines require gymnasts to perform routines on special equipment -- balancing, dismounts and complex movements that require strength and agility. Gymnasts perform artistic routines on regulation-sized spring floor.
Acrobatic
Acrobatic gymnastics routines tell a story with choreographed routines that incorporate gymnastic skills, synchronization and costumes. The five acrobatic events are women's pair, women's group, men's pair, men's group and mixed pair. Acrobatic pairs and groups require athletes of different sizes. Gymnasts learn to perform tumbling, pyramids, somersaults and catches, partner balances and twists with landings. Gymnasts perform acrobatic gymnastics on the regulation spring floors.
Aerobic
Aerobic gymnastics has been a competitive sport since the late 1980s, according to the International Gymnastics Federation. Aerobic gymnastics includes strength, coordination, flexibility, dynamic moves and music. Routines are brief, with a time limit of one minute and 50 seconds. The discipline's categories are women's individuals, men's individuals, mixed pairs, trios and groups. Gymnasts must perform continuous, high-intensity movements that include traditional aerobic movements, seven basic steps and other standard skills and movements. Although aerobic gymnastics is a world-class competitive sport, it is not yet an Olympic event.
Rhythmic
Rhythmic gymnastics participants perform choreographed routines to music. Routines include the elements of dance and the skillful use of hand-held equipment, such as ribbons, hoops, ropes, clubs and balls. Routines must demonstrate specific elements, including jumps, pivots and flexibility. Rhythmic gymnastics demonstrates coordination and balance. Group events require teamwork and precision.
Trampoline
The trampoline discipline uses the trampoline and mats on the floor at either end of the metal-framed spring bed. Trampolining debuted as an Olympic event in 2000 with separate competition events for men and women. Olympic trampoline athletes were athletic shoes or socks during competitions. USA Gymnastics programs teach trampoline, synchronized trampoline and double mini-trampoline. USA Gymnastics includes power tumbling with the trampoline competitions. Power tumbling is performed on elevated runways from which athletes propel themselves through acrobatic moves.
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