Acrobatic Gymnastics Persuasive Essay

After watching just one or two summer Olympics, a person most likely has a sound idea of what a gymnast is supposed to look like. The world of gymnastics has lofty standards on athletes’ appearance, and it is extremely uncommon to see someone outside the norm to be successful. Although gymnastics has begun to value a healthier body type for its athletes than it has in the past, competitors are still expected to conform to ideal expectations in both their body and the way they dress. Particularly in the discipline of acrobatic gymnastics, competitors face real repercussions through the judging process if they do not appear to be professional and physically fit. Because of the unfair results it has on competition outcomes, is unethical for
In this particular discipline, routines are performed in groups of two (women’s pairs, men’s pairs, or mixed pairs), three (women’s groups) or four (men’s groups.) Partners perform balance pyramids showcasing static positions of the top, such as handstands, while balancing on partners’ hands, feet, or head. Dynamic tosses, flips, and catches are performed as well, in addition to individual tumbling elements. Gymnasts are also scored on dance choreography and must exhibit strength and balance, on top of displaying elevated levels of performance appeal. While the issues discussed in this paper are found in all disciplines of gymnastics, as well as other aesthetic sports like figure skating, dance, and cheerleading, I will primarily focus on the scoring of acrobatic gymnastics because that is the discipline I am most familiar
In the movie, an artistic gymnast performs an outstanding vault at her competition. She would have received a perfect score; however, she was given a deduction because her bra strap was showing (Lyon & Bendinger, 2006). This same deduction can be applied in acrobatic gymnastics, in addition to similar deductions for having a hair scrunchie fall out during the routine, wearing an ankle brace or nail polish while competing, or even for having a leotard ride up in the back (something very likely to happen after flipping through various positions.) Furthermore, regulations on acrobatic gymnast’s attire are remarkably menial; for example, if a gymnast is wearing a skirted leotard and the skirt happens to lift while they are upside down, the inside of the skirt must be patterned or decorated so the gymnast does not receive a