Sport Aerobics... I just like this sport...

Recently, I found a very exciting game full of vigor. Although there are much less boys than girls play this game, I still plan to join it. It is originally designed for both men and women, anyway. I feel so fun and excited when jumping all the time in exciting music. You can win cheers from sophisticated movements that make you more confident.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_Aerobics

And here is a very exciting short movie(1'44") from Gymnastic Australia. Both male and female performers can be seen in it. Their techniques are really fascinating and it's really pleasing to watch it. Hope you will like this game after watching it.
Launch in external player

Some photo galleries and video clips(the photographers like photoing girls rather than boys :( ):
*John Lumb's http://www.pbase.com/jonjo/sports_aerobics
*Gitti-city club (you can see some boys at the background):
- Czech Aerobics Open -sports aerobics event - sports aerobics contest - Video clips of KO2100
Gallery of South Port Aerobic Gymnastics - British Gymnastics:

Links to national or regional sport aerobics organizations
Gymnastic Saskatchewan, Canada
FIG News page of Aerobic Gymnastic
FIG Photo Gallery of Sport Aerobics
FIG - Sport Aerobics Introduction

News reports
Jumping for gold, BBC This article is very funny. At the last paragraph, it said that the club has only two boys but 18 girls. LoL

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The definition of Sport Aerobics, officially called Aerobic Gymnastics^[1], is the ability to perform continuously complex and high intensity movement patterns to music- which originate from traditional aerobics - with a high degree of perfectly executed elements of difficulty. The routine must demonstrate creativity with the perfect integration of all movement, music and expression. It combines the elements of aerobics, sports acrobatics, rhythmic gymnastics along with music, dance and choreography. Building both physical strength and flexibility, it develops many aspects of a healthy body, such as agility, coordination and aerobic endurance in one workout. Beyond this function, it is also exciting and aesthetically pleasing to watch. Since it can show your vigor, activity and energy, it became popular soon among young people after it was invented in late 1970s. It is more a popular game for common people than a professional sport requiring many years training. Due to some misunderstanding, much less boys participate in this game than girls, though it is a game for both men and women. Here ^[2] is a good movie introducing sport aerobics.

Nature of the game

In short words, sport aerobics is the combination of many kind of movements. Many movements are done during one period of time, for example, waiving hands while twisting the body in one leap. The body is supposed to move all the time in pounding music. In this manner, physical capacity is improved. To coordinate legs and arms to do sophisticated movement, performers need to have a good coordination. Otherwise, the movement is very amusing. Some movements, such as split, requires a good flexibility.

The performance area is 7m x 7m. Performers fit into divisions: Junior Divisions, made up of Primary and Secondary teams; Novice Divisions including Individual Men and Women; Intermediate Divisions comprising Individual Men and Women, Mixed Pairs and Trios; and Elite Divisions including Individual Men and Women, Mixed Pairs and Trios. A three-person team may be made of any combination of men and women in a trio. Step teams and general divisions also exist.

The performances are made up of the following elements: dynamic strength, static strength, jumps and leaps (power), kicks (dynamic strength), balance and flexibility. The routine must be performed entirely to music. Three exercises are mandatory: four consecutive high leg kicks, four consecutive push-ups, and a phase beginning with four jumping jacks and comprising 32 counts of standing movements and patterns. Additionally, a maximum of ten elements from following families are allowed: push-ups, supports and balances, kicks and splits, jumps and leaps. Some movements in other gymnastic sports(sport acrobatics, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, etc.) are prohibited, such as handsprings, handstands, back flips, and aerial somersaults.

In the competition, women are required to wear a one-piece leotard and pantyhose(or leave it bear) while men must wear a unitard or body shorts and form fitting (lycra) shirts. Sometimes, men wear pantyhose to prevent cold or for artistic purpose. Those clothes are often intricately designed with bright color. This makes the performer very charming and smart. In daily workout for common people, you don't need to wear tight clothes. You can wear any kind of clothes if they won't blockade your motion, but loose fitting clothes blockade your motion.

Scoring of the performances is according to: artistic quality, creativity, execution, and difficulty. Artistic quality is the composition of the routine. Creativity is the variety of movements, lifts in pairs, trios and groups. Execution is the perfection of each movement. Difficulty is the number of required gymnastic elements demonstrating strength, flexibility, power and local muscular endurance.

sport aerobics has state, national and international competitions- but is not an Olympic Sport.

Gender in aerobics

Until now, there are still many people think that sport aerobics is for girls only. Actually, it is a game designed for both men and women. There are male performers in individual men, mixed pairs, trios and groups competition. Also we can see male members and coaches in fitness clubs. In universities, there are boys in sport aerobics teams too. This misunderstanding maybe is due to the tight clothing, dancing and stretching elements in this game. But this should be changed.

Affected by people surrounded(both boys and girls), boys tend to focus on muscle building exercises such as weight training as opposed to the heart and strength training exercises. But weight training is only part of an exercise regime. There is also stretching, heart and muscle endurance training - and sport aerobics provides all of those.

There are many elements in sport aerobics that are not conflict to enhance energy and power. For example, in order to do a 1/2 twist in semi-split manner in the air, it is required to jump high enough to have sufficient time to finish the twist and hold legs with muscles in that "sufficient time". A strong arm is needed to balance when doing some movements on the floor, such as cross-support travels.

Some professional sports teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers soccer team have a full-time aerobics instructor and full-time yoga instructor. It helps players recover from their injuries faster. Gives them more endurance, and helps build stronger bones, and ligaments. It also firms the body.

External links

The Association of National Aerobics Championships (ANAC)
Federation of International sport aerobics & Fitness Inc. (FISAF)
Association of peruvian sport aerobics & Fitness Inc. (NACPERU)
2003 Competition Handbook for sport aerobics (Gymnastics Australia)
Code of Points of Sport Aerobics, FIGCode of Points of Sport Aerobics] FIG
Gymnastic Canada's page to Sport Aerobics Gymnastic Canada

References

^ "FIG definition to Sport aerobics", FIG.
^ "The Body in Motion-sport aerobics", Gymnastics Australia.

Forrest Sheng Bao <Engineering our dreams>

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