The word "acrobat" has Greek roots and in translation means "walking on tiptoe." This name is not accidental, because acrobatics was born as a circus genre. Each traveling circus had its own juggler, equilibrist, rider, even jesters and buffoons used acrobatic tricks in their numbers. To this day, circus acrobatics remains an exciting and bewitching show.
Acrobatics is, first of all, the ability to use your body, control over movements, both with support and in the air. Acrobatic exercises develop all muscle groups, maintain mobility and flexibility of the joints, and improve coordination of movements.
Gymnastics came to us from Ancient Hellas, where it was an honorary sport. It included difficult jumps and exercises with various shells. It was a purely male occupation. Modern gymnastics is divided into sports and rhythmic. It is available to both men and women. Rhythmic gymnastics is beauty, strength, grace. Here the exercises are performed with musical accompaniment using gymnastic objects (ribbon, ball, hoop). Artistic gymnastics consists of jumping with support, exercises on apparatus, exercises on the carpet. Gymnastic apparatus includes:
1. Men's - crossbars, rings, parallel bars, gymnastic horse;
2. Women's - bars and a log.
The basis of acrobatic exercises are: rolls, somersaults, stands, coups, jumps. The ability to group is equally important.
Both sports require good physical fitness and performance of tricks that are difficult to coordinate. We can say that acrobatics is the basis of artistic and rhythmic gymnastics. Elements of acrobatics are included in the compulsory curriculum for schoolchildren (somersaults back and forth, "bridge", standing on the shoulder blades, twine).
Acrobatics is a unique sport. It is present in many disciplines such as figure skating, parachuting, freestyle, volleyball, and improves and complements them. But acrobatics itself is not included in the list of Olympic sports. Acrobats do not climb the podiums, do not win medals. It is a satisfying sport that strengthens the body and strengthens the will. And for Olympic gold and general recognition, there is gymnastics - an equally interesting and exciting sport.
