Sports Acrobatics

Spectacular, dynamic, practised by both men and women alike, ‘acro’ sports is one of the oldest known disciplines. Its name comes from the Greek acrobateo, meaning to rise or go forth and was practised as early as the ancient Egyptian period. Integrated into the FIG since 1999, this discipline requires courage, strength and stamina, while demanding flexibility and skill. Exercises are accompanied by music, harmoneously in keeping with gymnasts’ choreography, body movements and musical culture.
Sports Acrobatics (ACRO) favours body control in various positions, both on the ground and in the air. For this reason, the sport is included in the training programme of pilots, cosmonauts and parachutists.
Acrobatics is practised as Men’s, Women’s or Mixed Pairs, as Women’s Groups (3) or as Men’s Groups (4). Time allowed for each exercise is 2 min. 30 sec. to 3 min., depending on the figures presented. The floor area measures 12 x 12 meters.
Balance and Tempo are key elements to exercises in Pairs. Element combination is a determining factor for the value of the exercise. The balance routine does not include flying elements and a balance must be held for a given time (2 secs. for pairs, 4 secs. for groups). The driving force of the Tempo routine is the flying element.
If Tempo in Groups is the same as in Pairs, the concept of Balance is quite another matter. In fact, the forming of the impressive pyramids entails the highest of risks. Exercises are presented without music and regulations authorise the use of additional mats. Choreography and individual elements contribute to the whole of the exercise.
With the arrival of Sports Acrobatics, the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique FIG reaches the end of an integrative sports and educational quest aimed at unifying all forms of competitive gymnastics, and encouraging and developing general gymnastics for the good of all, at any age.
Like Artistics, Rhythmics, Aerobics and Trampoline, Sports Acrobatics draws its basic elements from the same source, elements that shape its physical expression. Choreography, agility, balance, strength, grace and the use of apparatus make the difference between one FIG discipline and another.

From the Federation of International Gymnastics.