GYMNASTIC

At the end of the lesson, the students are able to:

1. Define gymnastics in their own word;
2. Identify and describe the great contributors in the development of gymnastics;
3. Describe the phases of gymnastic program; and
4. Show understanding of the terminologies in Gymnastics through actual demonstration.

Gymnastics is one of the most valuable areas in physical education because of its total fitness value. It deals with the different
movements whether in place or in different directions, skills on the floor, on the balance beam, on the bars, and on the vault. Activities
in the form of stunts, tumbling and pyramid building give fun and enjoyment to an individual.

Activities in Gymnastics help develop strong, healthy and shapely bodies. It helps an individual gain confidence, determination and
discipline. Gymnastic activities also improve poise, posture, and coordination of movement of an individual.

History of Gymnastics

Gymnastics as a sport activity has been around for over 2000 years. It is one of the oldest Olympic sports, and has always
been part of the ancient, as well as the modern Olympic games. The term “gymnastics” is derived from the Greek word “gymnos,”
meaning naked. Gymnasium, originally an area for physical training, has been a school for training both the mind and the body.

The following were considered great contributors in the development of gymnastics:

 JOHANN BASEDOW (1742-1790) – was a German educator who started a program for total reform of the educational
system. According to Basedow, the principal goal of education is to prepare students for a happy, patriotic life of service to the
community. For Basedow, games, manual work in the garden and in the shop, physical training and hiking are the activities
appropriate to youth.

 JOHANN GUTS MUTHS (1759-1852) – was the “Great Grandfather of Gymnastics.” He wrote the book Gymnastics for the
Young published in 1973. The book becomes the manual for physical education teachers in several countries for many
generations now.

 FREIDRICH LUDWIG JAHN (1778-1852) – was considered as the Turnvater or the “Father of Gymnastic.”

 FRANZ NACHTEGALL (1772-1847) – started the first school for training gymnastics teachers.

 PER HENRICK LING OF SWEDEN (1776-1839) – invented the stall bars and the vaulting box. He was the first to appreciate
the corrective value of gymnastics.

 ADOLF SPIESS (1810-1852) – introduce marching and freehand exercise with music.

 DR. DUDLEY SARGEANT (1849-1924) – was the first American contributor to gymnastics.

 MRS. FRANCISCA REYES AQUINO together with DIRECTOR CANDIDO BARTOLOME started gymnastics in the
Philippines.

MEANING OF GYMNASTICS

Gymnastics is defined as self-motivating activity where one can manipulate the different parts of the body in varied movements. It is the
performance of systematic exercises often with the use of light apparatus like rings and wands and other heavy gymnastics apparatus.
It is a competitive sport in which individuals perform optional and prescribed acrobatics, mostly on special apparatus and body control.

Objectives
The following are the essential objectives of gymnastics:
1. To improve and maintain physically-fit body.
2. To achieve efficient movement through grace, poise, dignity, form and rhythm.
3. To improve social development like courage, initiative, determination, and perseverance.
4. To correct minor posture defects.
5. To stimulate enjoyment and interest in gymnastics.
Phases of Gymnastics

The gymnastic program has different phases that contributes to various elements in gymnastics. These elements are strength,
flexibility, balance, coordination and endurance.

1. Conditioning Program
The exercises are selected for the purpose of preparing the body for more complicated movements and skills. Warm-up
exercises can also be selected in this phase. It is also called as “Calisthenics”.

2. Rhythmic Gymnastics
Routines or exercises accompanied with music are called “Rhythmic Gymnastics” which are performed in rhythmical manner
and in smoothly flowing movements. This phase includes the freehand exercise, and all exercises which involve the use of
light apparatuses such as wands, rings, hoops, ribbons, ropes, etc. Gymnastic skills, dance skills, locomotor skills, stunts and
tumbling skills, are combined to form a routine on the floor. The performer is encouraged to create and develop her own
routine according to her abilities.

3. Stunts
Stunts are activities in the form of play which test one’s strength, flexibility, balance, agility, endurance and coordination. This
phase is especially suited to the lower grades. Some stunts can be considered as conditioning exercise while some are
preparatory stunts for tumbling skills.

4. Tumbling
Tumbling is the most important phase of the gymnastics program because the ability of the performer is tested as he rolls to
and fro, twists, turns, springs about on the mat, floor and up in the air.

5. Apparatus Exercise (Heavy)

Apparatus exercise includes activities done on the balance beam, vaulting horse, parallel bars, uneven bars, rings, and the
trampoline.

6. Pyramid Building
Pyramid building allows the students to create pictures (mural) through body static positions properly arranged and selected to
form a pyramid.

Key Terms in Gymnastics

 Axial movement – are movements done by a part or parts of the body inn place such as bending, lifting, stretching, twisting,
forming a circle and the like.
 Cartwheel – is the movement where a gymnast turns sideways from a standing position, to handstand, and then back to a
standing position,
 Combative stunts – are stunts performed by two or more participants in a competition to show strength, balance, agility, and
endurance.
 Composition – are the movements put together in a routine.
 Conditioning – are exercise and activities used to increase strength and performance.
 Dismount – are stunts used to get off the apparatus.
 Execution – is the manner a gymnast performs the routine.
 Group stunts – are stunts performed by three or more participants.
 Individual stunts – are stunts performed by one person.
 Locomotor movement – is performed by moving from one place to another such as walking, running, hopping, skipping,
galloping and other similar activities.
 Pike – is a position in which the legs are held straight and the body is bend forward at the tips.
 Pyramid building – are floor skills and tumbling skills that can be performed by three to 10 person forming a pyramid.
 Routine – is a planned series of movements performed as a continuous flowing exercise by a gymnast.
 Sequence – is a group of movement as part of a gymnastic routine.
 Spotter – someone who assist the gymnast if he or she needs help.
 Spotting – is assisting the gymnast during performance.
 Stunts – are activities in the form of play that test oneself on the components of physical fitness.
 Tuck – is a position in which the knees are bent, legs, are held tightly to the chest, and the body is curled up like a ball.
 Tumbling – is the execution of acrobatic movement such as rolls, stunts, handspring on the floor or on the ground.