ACTIVITY 5
1) Define Gymnastics.
Answer:
Gymnastics is a self-motivating activity where one can manipulate the different
parts of the body into varied positions or movements.
The attainment of skills in gymnastics can only be done through proper body
preparations specially on strength and flexibility.
The changes in today's gymnastics are the emphasis on flowing movements and
the inclusions of dance and locomotor skills in the creation of routines.
Grace, poise and dignity of movements are emphasized. The masculine and rigid
movements are now changed to more relaxed and easy movements.
2) Brief History of Gymnastics.
Answer:
The earliest recorded activities in gymnastics were some exercises, stunts and
tumbling resembling gymnastics.
Hanging, climbing ropes, swinging, balancing on stone and logs, flipping and
turning were common activities during the early civilizations.
The Chinese had a sort of exercise called the "Kung Fu" or "Medical
Gymnastics", while India had the "Yoga".
The Greeks had activities with apparatuses and they developed the word
"gymnastics" which meant "Naked Art".
The pictures on stones found in Egypt are evidences of the Egyptian participation
in some sort of balancing activities.
The pyramids were inspirations of the pyramid activities in gymnastics.
The Romans because of their love of war, devised a wooden equipment similar
to the back of horse where they could practice mounting and dismounting a
horse indoor.
This equipment is now being used in the class activities and skills in its use is
one of the events in the competitive gymnastics.
3) Contributors to our Present Gymnastics Programs.
Answer:
The German were the greatest contributors to our present gymnastic program.
The following people were instrumental in the development of gymnastics:
1723-1790
Johann Basedow introduced gymnastics in the school curriculum.
1759-1839
Johann Guts Muths called the " Great Grandfather of Gymnastics" wrote a
book entitled Gymnastics for the Youth. He invented the outdoor apparatuses
like the see-saw, the horizontal ladder, the oblique wooden ladder, the
climbing rope, balancing beam, the vault apparatus and the rope ladder.
1778-1852
Freidrich Jahn is considered the "Father of Gymnastics". He started the
Turverein movement. He introduced the horizontal bar, the parallel bar, the
side horse and the vaulting buck.
1810-1858
Adolf Spiess introduced marching and free hand exercises performed with
music.
1776-1839
Perh Ling a Sweddish enthusiast invented the stall bars and the vaulting box
or Swedish box.
The American gymnastics is largely influenced by Europe as evidenced by the
early Turverein movement in their colleges. Dr. Dudley Sargent was the first
American contributor to gymnastics because he was instrumental in including
gymnastics in the school curriculum.
Gymnastics in the Philippines was started by two exponents of Physical
Education-Director Candido Bartolome of the University of the Philippines and
Mrs. Francisco Aquino of the Bureau of Public Schools.
4) Phases of Gymnastics Program.
Answer:
The gymnastics program has different phases and each phase contributes to the
various elements in gymnastics. These elements are: strength, flexibility,
balance, agility, coordination, and endurance. In addition, grace, poise and
dignity of movement are attained.
1. Conditioning Program
The exercises are selected for the purpose of preparing the body for more
complicated movements and skills. Exercises for warm-up can also be
selected in this phase. This phase can also be considered as
"Calisthenics" since routines can be made out of the exercises in the
conditioning program.
2. Rhythmic Gymnastics
Routines or Exercises accompanied with music are called "Rhythmic
Gymnastics". They are so called because they are performed in a
rhythmical manner and the movements are flowing.
This phase includes the free hand exercise and all exercises with the use
of light apparatuses such as wands, rings, hoops, ribbons, ropes, etc.
Gymnastics skills, dance skills, locomotor skills, stunts and tumbling skills
are combined to form a routine on the floor. This is where the performer
can create and develop her own routine according to her abilities.
3. Stunts
Are activities in the form of play and they test one's strength, flexibility,
balance, agility, endurance and coordination. This phase is specially
suited to the lower grades.
Some stunts can be considered as conditioning exercise and still some
are preparatory stunts to tumbling stunts.
4. Tumbling
This is the most important phase of the gymnastics program, because this
is where the ability of the performer is tested as he rolls to and fro; twists,
turns and springs about on the mat, floor and in the air.
5. Apparatus Exercise (Heavy)
This includes done on the balance beam, vaulting horse, parallel bars,
uneven bars, rings and the trampoline.
6. Pyramid Building
This phase of the program makes a pictures (mural) out of body static
positions. The positions should be properly arranged and selected so that
they form the shape of a pyramid.
5) Terms in Gymnastics.
Answer:
1. Arch
Is a position where the body is curved like an arc of a circle, with the hip
forward and the head and trunk bent backward.
2. Dismount
Is a stunt used by a performer to get off the apparatus.
3. Exercise or Routine
Exercises planned series of dance skills, locomotor skills, gymnastic skills
and tumbling skills performed with or without music.
4. Held or Static Position
These are positions held for 2 seconds.
5. Mount
Are stunts performed by a performer to go up on an apparatus.
6. Press
In the application of steady pressure to a particular muscle or group of muscle
in order to attain a desired stretch.
7. Scale
Is support on one leg with the other leg raised at the back and the body arch.
8. Split
Is a position where the legs are extended forward and backward in a straight
position.
9. Spotter
Is a person who helps a performer go about a skill for the first time.
10. Spotting
Is the act of helping a person to go about a skill for the first time.
11. Tuck
Is a position where the head and the knees are in contact and the trunk is
curved.
