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Lanier's Gym
Gymnastic History

The first gymnastics were the circuslike acrobatics performed in ancient Egypt. In the 2nd century BC, men and women of Minoan Crete developed the art of bull leaping. In bull leaping the performer would run toward a charging bull, grab its horns, and, upon being tossed into the air, execute various midair stunts before landing on the bull's back, then dismount with a flip.

In ancient Greece, three distinct programs of gymnastic exercise were developed: one for the maintenance of good physical condition, another for military training, and a third as part of the conditioning regimen for athletes. The early Greek teachers of physical fitness (paidotribes) were the first to design systems of physical activity for both athletes and for the general citizenry. Such programs, which included gymnastics, were considered central to the formal education of children. The Greeks believed that the unity of mind and body could only be realized through participation in physical exercises. Gymnastic systems designed to give strength for military combat also were used extensively by the Romans.

In the early 1800s a form of gymnastics developed in Germany as a defined set of skills performed both with and without specific kinds of apparatus. The educator Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, known as the father of gymnastics, planned exercises using pieces of stationary apparatus to develop self-discipline and physical strength.

The Swedish system, devised by gymnast Pehr Henrik Ling, emphasized, on the other hand, rhythm and coordination through routines practiced with hoops, clubs, and small balls. German and Swedish immigrants to the United States in the 19th century brought their commitment to gymnastics with them. The Germans set up gymnastics clubs, or turnvereins, where families could participate together.

A compromise between the German and Swedish system was introduced into school physical education programs in the United States by the end of the century. European gymnastics did not, however, generally appeal to American children; the predominantly English cultural heritage had created an atmosphere in which games were preferred to the rote patterns of exercise. In fact, gymnastics did not achieve popularity in the United States until the 1970s.

Gymnastics competition has been part of the modern Olympic Games since they began in 1896, but extensive television coverage in the late 20th century contributed to the enormous interest that developed in gymnastics.

In Olympic competition, performance is scored on a 10-point scale by four to six trained judges. A level of difficulty is figured into the score, which is then averaged after the high and low scores are eliminated. Standards for each gymnastics event are determined by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique.

In competitive gymnastics teams consist of seven members. Six compete on each event, with the five highest scorers counting. The individual competitors earn points toward a team total. Men compete in six different events, each of which requires one compulsory routine (a prescribed series of exercises) and one optional routine (an original series of exercises). The events are as follows:

Floor exercisea routine of dancetype movements with acrobatic skills, performed without apparatus on a mat about 12 m (40 ft) square.
Pommel horsea routine performed on a leather-covered apparatus, in the center of which are inserted two wooden pommels, or handles, 40 to 45 cm (15.7 to 17.7 in) apart. The routine consists of a series of continuous swinging and circular motions with the trunk and legs as the athlete travels from one end of the horse to the other, using only his hands for support.
Ringsa routine performed while grasping one wooden ring in each hand; the rings are suspended from straps and hung parallel to each other 2.75 m (9 ft) above the floor mat. The routine combines static positions with rapid movements designed to test strength and precision.
Vaulta routine in which the apparatus, 1.6 m (5.2 ft) long and 1.35 m (4.4 ft) high, without pommels, is approached lengthwise. The athlete takes off from a springboard, places both hands on the surface of the horse, then completes his flight with an acrobatic maneuver before making a controlled landing.
Parallel barsa routine performed on two flexible parallel wooden rails 42 to 52 cm (16.5 to 20.4 in) apart. The routine is a series of swinging, balancing, and flight moves.
Horizontal bara routine performed on a single steel bar suspended 2.75 m (9 ft) above the floor mat. The routine requires continuous swinging motions around the bar with frequent changes in direction and in grip. In the dismount the athlete casts himself off the bar, soars through the air, and then makes a stable landing.

Women compete in four events, each of which also requires one compulsory and one optional routine. The events are as follows:

Vaultthe routine is the same as in the men's event, except that the horse, similar to that used by the men, is lowered to a height of 1.2 m (3.9 ft) and is approached from its side.
Uneven bars a routine performed on a set of two flexible wooden bars. The upper bar is between 2.35 and 2.4 m (7.7 and 7.9 ft) from the floor; the lower bar, parallel to it, is between 1.4 and 1.6 m (4.6 and 5.2 ft) above the floor. The routine demands continuous swinging, releasing, and changing of direction over, under, and between the bars with a formal mount and dismount.
Balance beam a routine performed on a single wooden beam 10 cm (4 in) wide. The routine consists of continuous tumbling moves, turns, jumps, and leaps. A formal dismount is required.
Floor exercise a routine performed without apparatus on a floor mat the same size as the men's. The routine is similar to the men's floor exercise except that it is performed to music.

Information extracted from Microsoft Encarta Encyclopaedia 96.