Acrobatic gymnastics

Acrobatic gymnastics is a competitive discipline of gymnastics centered on teamwork.

Unlike other forms of gymnastics where athletes often work alone, acrobatic gymnasts perform in partnerships. These partnerships combine acrobatic skills, dance, and tumbling into routines set to music. The sport is governed by the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG). It is a discipline that requires immense trust, as partners must rely on each other to perform complex, high-stakes movements.

Gymnasts work in one of five specific units. These include pairs, which can be same-gender or mixed, and groups consisting of three women or four men.

Within these units, gymnasts have specialized roles based on their size and abilities. The "bases" are the strong gymnasts who provide support and stability. The "tops" are usually smaller gymnasts who balance or are thrown. In larger groups, there are also "middles." These gymnasts act as additional bases to support the top while balancing on the primary base.

There are three distinct types of routines used in competition. The balance routine focuses on strength, poise, and flexibility. In these routines, gymnasts hold static poses and create human pyramids for approximately two minutes and forty seconds. The dynamic routine emphasizes power and grace through flight. In this style, bases propel the top through the air to perform somersaults or twists. These routines last about two minutes. Finally, the combined routine includes elements of both balance and dynamic moves. This third type is typically performed by senior-level athletes for about two minutes and thirty seconds.

Acrobatics has a history spanning thousands of years. It appeared in early festivals, circuses, and vaudeville acts as a form of entertainment. The transition to a specific sport began in the Soviet Union during the 1930s. Although World War II interrupted its development, the first men's competition was held in 1939. A women's event followed in 1940. In 1957, the first international competition featured the Soviet Union, Poland, Bulgaria, and East Germany. The International Federation of Sports Acrobatics was formed in 1973, leading to the first world championships in 1974. The sport was officially renamed acrobatic gymnastics in 2007.

Judging is a complex process overseen by several specialized panels. A head judge manages the process, while different judges focus on specific criteria. Difficulty judges (DJ) assess the value of the elements performed. Artistic judges (AJ) evaluate the choreography, the use of the floor, and the connection to the music. Execution judges (EJ) look for technical perfection and subtract points for mistakes. For example, a small bend in a handstand might cost 0.1 points, while a top falling instead of being caught costs one full point. The final score is the sum of difficulty, artistry, and execution, with the execution score being doubled.

Competitions are organized by age groups: Pre-Youth (11–16), Youth (12–18), Juniors (13–19), and Seniors (15 or older). At the junior and senior levels, athletes must perform all three routine types. The FIG sets rules through a document called the Code of Points. These rules are updated every four years to match the Olympic cycle. Major events include the World Games, the European Games, and the Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships, which are held in even-numbered years. Regional or continental championships take place in odd-numbered years.

Safety is a vital concern in this high-intensity sport. Gymnasts use safety mats and spotting belts, also called harnesses, when training new skills. Gymnasiums must have high ceilings to prevent gymnasts from hitting the ceiling during throws. To improve grip, bases may shave the area of the top's head that they must hold. While many injuries occur in the lower limbs like the knees and ankles, different roles face different risks. Bases are more likely to suffer from overuse injuries, while tops are more prone to acute injuries like fractures or sprains.