Aerobic Gymnastics

Aerobic Gymnastics has not only been a great form of physical training for the general public since the end of the 1980's, but also a top-level competitive sport.

Aerobic Gymnastics presents dynamic moves, strength, flexibility, co-ordination and musicality in a routine, lasting up to 1 minute 50 seconds. The categories are: Individual Men, Individual Women, Mixed Pairs, Trios and (from 2002) Groups of 6 gymnasts. The routine is performed on a 7 x 7 m area except for the Groups which is on a 10 x 10 m area.

Aerobic Gymnastics is the ability to perform continuous complex and high intensity movement patterns to music, which originate from traditional aerobic exercises: the routine must demonstrate continuous movement, flexibility, strength and the utilisation of the seven basic steps, with perfectly executed all the movements including the difficulty elements. The winning routine must show clean and balanced movements with perfect technique. The routine must include at least one element from the 4 element families which present dynamic strength, static strength, jumps / leaps and flexibility / balance and may include a maximum of 12 elements in total.

The competitor must also demonstrate combinations of aerobic movement patterns with arms and feet, including the seven basic aerobic steps: March, Jog, Skip, Knee Lift, Kick, Jack and Lunge. The word aerobic literally means «with oxygen» or «in presence of oxygen». Aerobic exercise is a form of exercise that utilizes oxygen to produce energy, which must last for more than 20 minutes if the participant is to achieve Target Heart Rate. This trains cardiovascular system (heart, lungs).

As the heart muscle becomes stronger and more efficient, a larger amount of blood can be pumped with each stroke. Fewer strokes are then required to rapidly transport oxygen to all parts of the body. An aerobically fit individual can work longer, more vigorously and achieve quicker recovery at the end of an aerobic session.

Aerobic Gymnastics became a member of the gymnastics family, and thus of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) in 1994 In 1996, it became one of the official sports of the World Games in Lahti, Finland.

Aerobic Gymnastics require the ability to perform continuous complex and high intensity movement patterns to music, which originates from traditional aerobic dance. The routine which takes 1 min. 45 sec. must demonstrate a balanced choreography of creative aerobic movements, flexibility, and strength and difficulty elements performed with perfect execution. In Aerobic Gymnastics, gymnastics elements (ie; saltos and handstands) are prohibited. Each routine is evaluated by Artistic, Execution, Difficulty, and Chair Judges. It is a pleasure to see how each competitor performs his or her skills in a dynamic and rhythmic routine.

Artistic Judge
The Artistic judges evaluate the Choreography (Composition, Music, Aerobic Movement Patterns, Space and Presentation/Partnership). To meet the artistic requirements, a routine must demonstrate creativity, and the choreography must demonstrate sports specific content, variety of movements and a high degree of correlation between music, movement and the competitors' performance. For Mixed Pairs and Trio, 3 lifts are required in a routine. Artistic is scored according to a scale of a maximum of 10.0.

Execution Judge
The Execution judges evaluate perfect execution in all movements. An excellent routine demonstrates perfect posture and alignment in all movements, flexibility, strength, muscle endurance and power. Uncontrolled or incomplete movements, take offs, landings, turns and twists result in deductions. In Mixed Pairs and Trio, all movements must be executed as a unified and matched performance in which a high degree of skill is required. Execution is scored according to negative judging starting from 10.0.

Difficulty Judge
The Difficulty judges evaluate the performed elements. Competitors are allowed to perform a maximum of 12 elements from the Element Pool (4 groups). All elements performed must be differently named base elements and must include 1 element from each group of the element pool. In Mixed Pair and Trio, all competitors must perform the same element at the same time or consecutively, in the same or different directions. Two elements, from the twelve chosen elements, can be combined directly without any stop, hesitation or transition and if they both meet the minimum requirements (COP Appendix II), they will receive an additional 0.1 point. Judges will give a difficulty value of 0.3 - 1.0 for the first 12 elements performed. If more than 12 elements are performed or the same element is repeated, a deduction of -1.0 is made each time.

Chair of Judge's Panel
The Chair of judge's makes deductions for the following mistakes: prohibited moves, more/less than 3 lifts, height of the lift, interruption or stop of performance, time infraction/fault, incorrect/wrong attire, disciplinary penalties.

Final Score and Ranking
Artistic and Execution: the highest and lowest scores are dropped. The remaining scores are averaged and result in the final Artistic and Execution scores.

Difficulty: all elements that have received a value are added together and divided by 2.

The Artistic, the Execution, and Difficulty scores are added together and represent the total score. Deductions made by the Difficulty judges, the Line judges and the Chair of judges are deducted from the total score and the result represents the FINAL SCORE.

In case of a tie, the tie will be broken based on the following criteria in this order:
· The highest total score in Execution.
· The highest total score in Artistic.
· The highest total score in Difficulty.