Mastering Acrobatic Gymnastics: Rules, Roles, and Anti-Doping Compliance

Acrobatic Gymnastics: Rules, Roles, and Safety

Fundamentals and Governing Bodies

• 1. International Recognition: Recognized by the International Sports Acrobatics Federation and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).
• 2. Competition Categories: Mixed pairs, female pairs, male pairs, female trios, male quartets, and mixed groups (3 to 6 members).
• 3. Area and Duration: Practiced on a 12x12m carpet. Routine length is 2'15" to 2'30" depending on the category, with a margin of plus or minus 5 seconds.
• 4. Required Elements: Routines must contain acrobatic and gymnastic elements, including flexibility, balances, jumps, spins, and cooperative movements, forming a harmonious choreographic whole.

Roles and Routine Requirements

• 5. Technique: Elements are used to sustain figures or adapted positions necessary for launching or pushing a partner.
• 8. Routine Structure: Must include three held pyramids (minimum 3 seconds) and three propulsion elements. Female pairs must include at least one catch.
• 9. Defined Roles:
  • Porter (Base): The person who supports the partner.
  • Agile (Top/Turner): The person performing flexibility and balance elements over the porter, or executing acrobatic leaps (launch, flight, and reception back onto the porter or the floor).
• 7. Historical Origin: The discipline is derived from historical performers and minstrels.

Safety and Socio-Emotional Benefits

• 6. Safety and Attire: It is advisable not to wear overly baggy clothes, as this increases the possibility of sliding contact surfaces between the agile and the porter. Jewelry (earrings, rings, chains) should be discarded during activity as they pose a risk. Note that specific supports or wraps can increase pressure on the contact surface, potentially decreasing proprioceptive feedback from the agile's foot support on the porter.
• 10. Social Benefits: Acrobatic Gymnastics promotes greater contact between partners, developing better socio-emotional relationships, improving group climate, and breaking down barriers (e.g., gender separation or fear of failure) often observed at these ages.

Physical Activity and Sports Integrity (Anti-Doping)

Defining Physical Activity and Its Benefits

• 2. Definition: Physical activity is any body movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure.
• 3. Health Benefits: Physical activity improves weight control, enhances self-image, aids in sleep reconciliation, improves sleep quality, and helps relieve tension and manage stress.
• 4. Exercise Recommendations: Increase exercise duration gradually (no more than 5 minutes per week). Maintain regularity in the exercise schedule. Set achievable targets and record goals achieved.

Doping: Substances, Risks, and Sanctions

• 5. Banned Substances: Examples include synthetic opiates, amphetamines, and related analogues.
• 8. Banned Methods: Includes blood doping and pharmacological, chemical, or physical manipulation.
• 10. Conclusion: The use of these products or practices constitutes sports doping.
• 7. Reasons for Prohibition: Doping is prohibited for moral, ethical, and medical reasons.

Side Effects and Consequences

• 1. Withdrawal/Side Effects (General): Symptoms may include craving, headache, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.
• 6. Adverse Effects of Doping:
  • Small/Moderate Doses: Tremor, dry mouth, headache, tachycardia, hypertension, sweating, and insomnia.
  • High Doses: Malignant tachycardia and hypertension, convulsions, visual hallucinations, kidney failure, and cardiac muscle destruction.
• 9. Sanctions for Offenses:
  • First Offense: 3 months of sports suspension/inactivity.
  • Second Offense: 2 years suspension.
  • Third Offense: Lifetime ban.