Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which competitors perform graceful body movements that require strength and accuracy, to the rhythm of music. This discipline of gymnastics is deeply inspired by ballet, dance and theater, and stands out for its strong connection with music, since the exercises must always be in perfect harmony with the melodies performed. Stay tuned, we’ll tell you all about rhythmic gymnastics!
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All about Rhythmic Gymnastics: history
The first significant advances in rhythmic gymnastics were driven by choreographer François Delsarte in the 19th century;
He began to develop the practice of rhythmic exercises as a way of expressing emotions through body movements.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Émile Jacques Dalcroze created the rhythmic technique, which was improved by his pupil Rudolf Bode, who made it more fluid and integrated;
Bode also incorporated the use of gadgets to enrich and embellish the presentations.
At the same time, the German teacher and musician Heinrich Medeau introduced devices such as the bow, ball and mallet to the execution of rhythmic body movements.
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The fusion of the movements of traditional gymnastics with dance resulted in rhythmic gymnastics, which began to gain recognition in the 1920s by various gymnastics schools, even without formally established rules.
Rhythmic gymnastics was later given a boost by the ballerina Isadora Duncan, who brought the practice to the former Soviet Union, where she introduced the sport and set standards for competitions.
In 1961, Eastern European countries organized the first international rhythmic gymnastics championships.
The following year, in 1962, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) incorporated this discipline into its competitions and formed its first Technical Commission.
Initially, the competitions were dominated by Eastern European countries, until the first world championships in this sport took place in Budapest in 1963.
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After that, rhythmic gymnastics continued to develop with the addition of new elements and the creation of regulations with international standards.
In 1975, rhythmic gymnastics using apparatus was officially recognized as Rhythmic Sports Gymnastics (RGS).
The first inclusion of Rhythmic Gymnastics in the Olympics took place in 1984, at the Los Angeles Olympic Games, with the gymnasts competing individually;
At the 1996 Atlanta Games, the sport was also played in teams.
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All about Rhythmic Gymnastics: how does it work?
Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport that stands out for its strong connection with music; the athletes perform synchronized choreographies to the sound of melodies, with movements inspired by other art forms, such as dance and theater.
The movements of rhythmic gymnastics include jumps, balance exercises and the manipulation of apparatus.
Each of the five apparatuses used highlights a specific skill of the gymnasts, whether in terms of balance, control, fluidity or precision;
The apparatuses used in rhythmic gymnastics are the hoop, ball, rope, ribbon and mallets.
This discipline can be practiced both individually and as a team. Team competitions consist of groups of six, but only five gymnasts perform.
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All about Rhythmic Gymnastics: types of competitions
Rhythmic gymnastics competitions usually include various types of events, both in individual and team format. Meet them now:
Individual test
- General individual: where each gymnast performs a series of exercises on different apparatuses. The performance on each apparatus is evaluated separately, and the sum of the scores determines the gymnast’s overall ranking.
- Gymnastics apparatus competition: Each gymnast competes on a single apparatus at a time in separate performances. The apparatus can be hoop, ball, ribbon, mallets or rope.
Team race
- Combined team: teams perform a routine using one or more apparatus, and the performance of all the gymnasts is assessed together. Teams are usually made up of a specific number of gymnasts who perform the routine synchronously.
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All about Rhythmic Gymnastics: apparatus
Rhythmic gymnastics involves the use of five apparatuses in its performances: hoop, ball, ribbon, mallets and rope;
However, in the Olympic Games and in most adult competitions, only the top four are employed;
In team competitions, there are routines that use only one apparatus and others that combine two. In the individual format, each athlete competes with just one apparatus per performance.
Bow
The hoop is used for movements such as jumps and pivots. It should have a diameter of between 80 and 90 cm and weigh at least 300 grams.
Ball
The ball, made of rubber material, is used for flexibility and curling exercises. Its diameter should vary between 18 and 20 cm, with a minimum weight of 400 grams.
Apples
The two mallets are used for movements that require balance. Each mallet should measure between 40 and 50 cm and weigh at least 150 grams.
Ribbon
The tape device consists of two parts: the tape itself, which must be at least 6 meters long, with a width of 4 to 6 cm and a maximum weight of 35 grams, and the stylus, where the tape is attached and must be between 50 and 60 cm long, with a maximum diameter of 1 cm.
Rope
The rope is mainly used for jumping exercises. It can be made of sisal or synthetic material and should be of a length appropriate to the gymnast’s height.
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All about Rhythmic Gymnastics: rules and regulations
The rules and regulations of a rhythmic gymnastics competition are defined by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and include a series of guidelines to ensure uniformity and fairness in competitions;
Score
- The routines are assessed by a panel of judges who consider difficulty, execution, composition and artistic expression.
- Grades are generally divided into components such as technical difficulty, execution, artistry and presentation.
Durability of routines
The routines have a set time that varies depending on the level of competition (for example, individuals can have routines of 1 to 2 minutes and 30 seconds).
Uniformity and presentation
- Gymnasts must wear costumes and accessories that comply with the standards set by the FIG, respecting aspects of safety and aesthetics.
- The performances should demonstrate a harmonious combination of movement, music and expression.
Specific rules
- Prohibitions on movements that are dangerous or could cause harm to the gymnasts or the public.
- Specific criteria for performing jumps, pirouettes, balancing acts and acrobatic elements.
- Rules for the correct handling and use of equipment during the routine.
Sanctions and penalties
- Penalties can be applied for errors such as falls, incorrect use of the equipment, or violations of the timing and music rules.
- Penalties range from points deductions to disqualification in serious cases.
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All about Rhythmic Gymnastics: the sport in Brazil
In Brazil, rhythmic gymnastics began to become popular around the 1950s, with the contribution of Hungarian teacher Ilona Peuker playing a key role in promoting the sport in the country.
In recent years, the Brazilian rhythmic gymnastics team has stood out on the sports scene, especially in competitions in America, such as the Pan American Games, where they won several gold medals.
Brazil’s biggest success at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup was a bronze medal, won by the team in Athens in 2023.
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All about rhythmic gymnastics: curiosities
- At the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, rhythmic gymnasts who showed their bra straps were penalized by losing points. This rule was later repealed;
- The presentation area is 13m x 13m;
- The gymnasts must be made up, with their hair tied up in elaborate hairstyles and wearing tights. They can wear a variety of colors, sparkles and accessories, but there are several rules governing their dress;
- The apparatus must meet specific criteria in terms of weight, size and material, as established by the rules, and are checked by the referees;
- In team presentations, the routine should last between 2min15s and 2min30s, while in individual presentations, the time is reduced by one minute.
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