What is gymnastics?
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We explain what Gymnastics is and what types of gymnastics exist. In addition, the origin of this discipline and its health benefits.
What is Gymnastics?
Gymnastics is a sports discipline in which systematic sequences of physical exercises are performed where different body skills are developed, such as strength or elasticity. Etymologically, the word gymnastics comes from the Greek word γυμναστική and has its translation into Spanish as “athletic sports fan.”
Gymnastics is a practice whose origin dates back thousands of years before Christ, with the Romans. In the beginning, the Romans then practiced gymnastic routines, such as horse riding or marching, having as a reference and influencing the exercises that the Greeks performed in circuses.
From these Greek exercises, they took the most violent aspects to recreate the combats between gladiators consequently. Later, in the Middle Ages, it was only practiced by buffoons until it was claimed by figures such as Luther.
Today, gymnastics has several modalities and can be practiced for pleasure and competitive, educational, and even therapeutic purposes (the latter is specially designed for health treatments).
types of gymnastics
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Rhythmic gymnastics incorporates elements of dance and ballet.
Gymnastics is currently governed and professionally organized by the International Gymnastics Federation. In this way, Gymnastics is made up of different disciplines:
It is distinguished from the others because it incorporates elements of dance and ballet. It has appropriate background music, and accessories such as a ball, ribbon, rope, and hoop, among others, can be used. In competition, they are evaluated in two categories, individually or together.
Acrobatic It is practiced in a group, and in addition to artistic or gymnastic movements, it includes acrobatics in which they are propelled as a group. Therefore it requires strength, coordination, precision, and a lot of confidence.
Aerobics. His movements come from aerobics, so the execution of the movement pattern includes intensity variations. It is more intense.
On trampoline. It runs on trampolines or the like.
Artistic. It is similar to previous ones since it has choreographies and movements performed at high speed. It is an Olympic sport.
benefits of gymnastics
Like all sports, it is highly beneficial for health. Still, due to the type of discipline, other skills are developed, such as elasticity, speed, reaction capacity, reflexes, better coordination, and greater body control. In other sports, it helps to strengthen muscles and articulation, among many other advantages.
Psychologically it also has certain benefits; it allows you to work on your self-confidence; and if it is a group, it improves the ability to work as a team or as a couple, allowing for more and better concentration and attention. Also, competitive environments favor self-improvement, tolerance to frustration, perseverance, and fighting spirit.
