PATHFIT 3 GYMNASTICS

PRELIM- MIDTERM TOPICS

PREPARED BY PROF. NEIL JOHN DIOLA

Introduction:
Gуmnаѕtісѕ іѕ а ѕроrt оf thе future, whісh, nоnеthеlеѕѕ, еnјоуѕ а lоng hеrіtаgе
аnd рrеѕеrvеѕ аn аnсіеnt trаdіtіоn оf dеmоnѕtrаtіng ехасtlу whаt а реrѕоn іѕ сараblе
оf. Gуmnаѕtісѕ іnvоlvеѕ thе реrfоrmаnсе оf ехеrсіѕеѕ, оn оr wіth аn арраrаtuѕ, оr а
раrtnеr, rеquіrіng рhуѕісаl ѕtrеngth, flехіbіlіtу, сооrdіnаtіоn, роwеr, аgіlіtу, grасе,
bаlаnсе аnd соntrоl. Gуmnаѕtісѕ іѕ оnе оf thе оldеѕt Оlуmріс ѕроrtѕ аnd оnе оf thе
Wоrld’ѕ mоѕt рорulаr ѕроrtѕ. Моrеоvеr, іt іѕ оnе оf thе mоѕt іnсluѕіvе ѕроrtѕ whеrе
mаlе оr fеmаlе, уоung оr оld, аblе-bоdіеd оr dіѕаblеd саn tаkе раrt.

CHAPTER I
A. HISTORY OF GYMNASTICS
 Gymnastics is one of the world’s oldest physical activities and sports, and
its origin can be traced back thousands of years.
 Gymnastics was most likely first depicted in Egyptian artifacts through
hieroglyphics. The earliest known physical evidence of gymnastics can be
found in the art of ancient Egypt, where female acrobats performed for
the pharaohs and the Egyptian nobility.
 Record shows that during the ancient time, the Chinese and the Egyptians
were the first to practice various gymnastics routines for fitness and
entertainment. But the Greeks were the first to develop the
competitive aspects of gymnastics, which originally meant all forms
of athletics. It was first practiced at the ancient Olympic Games at Mt.
Olympus. All these sprang from their belief in the ideal of A SOUND
MIND IN A SOUND BODY.
 By 800 BC, Greece, China, Persia, and India were using gymnastics for
military training. Gymnastics, practiced from early times, appears to have
spread from Egypt to Greece and Rome.
 In 776 BC, the Greeks held the first Olympics Games, which was a festival
dedicated to their god – Zeus. Gymnastics was added in the ancient
Olympics Games. Gymnastics involved boxing, wrestling, throwing,
jumping, track and field, and weightlifting, which later in history became
separate sports.
 The name of the sports “Gymnastics” is derived from the ancient Greek
word “gymnos” which translated means “Naked Art”.
 PATHFIT 3 GYMNASTICS
PRELIM- MIDTERM TOPICS
PREPARED BY PROF. NEIL JOHN DIOLA
- In ancient Greece, male athletes trained and competed in
the nude. Because of this, women were excluded from the
ancient games, not just as competitors but also as
spectators.
 The Greeks built elaborate complexes known as “Gymnasia” for their
physical education training around the 6th century BCE.
- There were three types of teachers in the gymnasium:
1. GRAMMATISTES, who taught reading, writing, and
other scholarly pursuits;
2. KITHARISTES, who taught music; and
3. PAIDOTRIBES, who were physical fitness teachers.
 Gymnastics, is a sport basic to all sports and is recognized for its vital role
in the development of the total fitness of the individual. It is an Artistic
expression of a graceful yet demanding and difficult movement both for
fitness or competition purposes. That’s why gymnastics spreads around
the world.

THE EDUCATORS AND CONTRIBUTORS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF

GYMNASTICS

JOHANN BERNHARD BASEDOW (1723-1790)

German
- introduced gymnastics in the school curriculum.

JOHANN GUTS MUTHS (1759-1839)

German
- known as the great grandfather of gymnastics who wrote a book
entitled gymnastics for the youth.
- invented outdoor apparatuses like the see-saw, horizontal ladder,
the que wooden ladder, climbing rope, balance beam, and ladder.
 PATHFIT 3 GYMNASTICS
PRELIM- MIDTERM TOPICS
PREPARED BY PROF. NEIL JOHN DIOLA

FRIEDRICH LUDWIG JAHNN (1778-1852)

German

- considered the father of modern gymnastics.

- started the turnverein movement (tumbling clubs) which is
generally for young men in Germany.

PEHR HENRIK LING (1776-1839)

Swedish
- introduced gymnastics in the Europschoolshool. He invented the
bars and the vaulting box or Swedish box.

ADOLF SPIESS (1810-1858)

Swiss
- introduced marching and freehand exercise performed with
music.

Dr. DUDLEY SARGENT (1849-1924)

American
- the first American to include gymnastics in their school curriculum

CANDIDO BARTOLOME
Filipino
 PATHFIT 3 GYMNASTICS
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PREPARED BY PROF. NEIL JOHN DIOLA
- a UP professor who secured support for gymnastic competitions at
the university, and he helped other organizations in the Philippines develop their
programs.

FRANCISCA REYES AQUINO (1899-1983)

Filipino
- Mother of Philippine Folk Dance
- a member of the Bureau of Public Schools and a folk and rhythm
dance educator, contributed to the early training of gymnasts at the university.
Specifically, she infused gymnastics routines with dance moves unique to the
culture.

The History of Philippine Gymnastics

The sport of gymnastics has deep and broad historical roots 2. Countries
known for advancing the sport, such as the United States, Rome, and Russia,
have produced numerous Olympic medalists. The sport of gymnastics has
deep and broad historical roots. Countries known for advancing the sport,
such as the United States, Rome, and Russia, have produced numerous
Olympic medalists. The Republic of the Philippines has not fared as well in
gymnastics, and at the Olympics, Filipino competitors do better in the sport
of boxing. Still, the nation has done much to support the sport of gymnastics.

B. GYMNASTICS AS A SPORT AND AS AN AESTHETIC

EXPRESSION

Gymnastics as a sport:
 PATHFIT 3 GYMNASTICS
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PREPARED BY PROF. NEIL JOHN DIOLA
 involving the performance of sequences of movements or routines
requiring physical strength, flexibility, and kinesthetic awareness.
 a competitive sport in which individuals perform optional and prescribed
acrobatic feats on the floor or on special apparatus to demonstrate strength,
balance, and body control.

Gymnastics as an aesthetic expression:

 an exercise in intellectual or artistic dexterity.

 physical exercises for developing skills, strength, and control in the use of
the body or a sport in which such exercises are performed.
 self-motivating activity where one can manipulate the different parts of
the body into varied positions or movements.
 physical exercises are designed to develop and display strength, balance,
and agility, especially in positions performed on or with specialized apparatus.
Source: Revision Reference Book of Jaluage, Yucel. Gymnastics &
Combative Sports BPE-SPE 105. Lucky Four | 2016

C. BENEFITS OF LEARNING GYMNASTICS

Physical
 An increase in muscular strength, flexibility, and endurance.
 The ability to relax
 Correct body alignment while walking, standing, jumping, etc.
 The knowledge of how to fall and roll safely.
 Increased agility and coordination.

Cognitive
 Awareness of the body.
 Awareness of space and where the body is in it.
 Awareness of relationships; body parts to each other and the
apparatus.
 Awareness of relationships with others.

Psychological
 PATHFIT 3 GYMNASTICS
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PREPARED BY PROF. NEIL JOHN DIOLA
 The joy of movement mastery.
 Discipline and self-control.
 The exercise habit is a pleasurable daily occurrence.
 A confident self-image and a positive attitude towards their bodies.
 Trust in one’s abilities; move from a world of “I Can’t” to “I can”.

D. SAFETY PROTOCOLS/MEASURES IN GYMNASTICS

To stay safe while practicing and competing, gymnasts/students should:

 Get a sports physical before starting any new sport.

 Always warm up and stretch before doing gymnastics.
 Only practice on padded floors, never on a hard surface. Mats
should be placed under the equipment and properly secured at all
times.
 Have a coach or program director who is qualified and is at every
practice. A qualified coach will be up to date on the latest safety
recommendations.
 Have a coach spotting for all new or difficult stunts.
 Let the coach know if they're uncomfortable with a gymnastic
move. If the coach isn't supportive, tell a parent or an
administrator.
 Never try a stunt at a game or competition that they haven't
practiced many times.
 After doing gymnastics routines, don’t forget to have cool-down
exercises to avoid body fatigue.

CHAPTER II
 PATHFIT 3 GYMNASTICS
PRELIM- MIDTERM TOPICS
PREPARED BY PROF. NEIL JOHN DIOLA
RHYTHM
 signifies the beat/count/value/ and pulse of the music
 “any regular recurring motion, symmetry” is a “ movement marked by the
regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or
different conditions.”

RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES
- the physical manifestations of the mental and emotional response
of the individual to rhythm refer to those bodily responses made to
any rhythmic accompaniment.

A. ELEMENTS OF RHYTHM
(Terms)
BEAT- the underlying pulse of a rhythm
BAR - in music, a vertical line across a staff dividing it into an equal
measure of time
TEMPO – the rate of speed of a movement
COUNT - a pulse beat a time limit
MEASURE - a group of pulse beats
STEP PATTERN - refers to a movement/s done for each of the dance
MEASURE SIGNATURE- also known as TIME SIGNATURE

B. ELEMENTS OF SPACE
1. Direction
- is the line of movement taken which may be forward, backward,
sideward, diagonal, upward, or a combination of those mentioned.
Movement Experiences:
Walk in place, forward, backward, and sideward.
Walk turning around.
Walk with changes in direction from forward to backward, sideward, and
turning around while continuing in the same direction.
Run in place, forward, backward.
Run facing forward to backward while continuing in the same direction.
Jump turning around.
Jump with half and full turns while in the air.
Hop forward, backward, sideward.
Hop turning around.

2. Level
- is movement through space that may be done at a high, low, or
medium level.
Movement Experiences:
 PATHFIT 3 GYMNASTICS
PRELIM- MIDTERM TOPICS
PREPARED BY PROF. NEIL JOHN DIOLA
Walk on tiptoe, with knees half-bent, fully bent.
Run crouching low.
Run with greater elevation from the floor.
Jump with knees fully bent, knees half-bent.

3. Range
- refers to the area covered as the body moves. It may be small as
when the movement is done in one’s place, or large when
movement covers a wide area as when getting away from one’s
place.
Movement Experiences:
Walk with steps shorter than natural.
Walk with steps longer than natural.
Run with steps shorter than natural.
Run with steps longer than natural.

4. Floor Pattern
- the path or design on the floor that is made while moving in space
is what is termed a floor pattern. It may take a form of a square,
circle, straight line, or zigzag.
Movement Experiences:
Take 4 walking steps each forward; sideward R; backward; sideward L to
the original place.
Move forward with 4 long strides and with arms raised overhead; 4 short
strides diagonally forward L and with arms raised; 4 short strides diagonally forward
L with arms still raised sideward; 4 long strides with arms overhead
moving backward.
Move forward in a circle clockwise with R arm raised at the side and L
hand on the waist in 8 counts; turn about and move counterclockwise
in a circle with reverse arm/hand position in 8 counts.
Slide with R foot leading obliquely forward R in 4 counts and hands on
waist; slide with L obliquely L forward; continue making a zigzag floor pattern across
the room.

C. MOVEMENT QUALITIES
Movement expression is attained through the elements of time, force,
and space.

Time Qualities:
1. fast Movement.
2. slow Movement.
 PATHFIT 3 GYMNASTICS
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PREPARED BY PROF. NEIL JOHN DIOLA

Force Qualities:
1. Soft light movement
2. Strong, heavy movement
3. Strong, jerky movement
4. smooth, sustained movement

Space Qualities:
1. Movement up and down
2. Movement across back and forth, or around
3. low Movement
4. high Movement

GYMNASTICS POSITIONS:
A. ARMS POSITIONS
 PATHFIT 3 GYMNASTICS
PRELIM- MIDTERM TOPICS
PREPARED BY PROF. NEIL JOHN DIOLA

C. STANDING POSITIONS
PATHFIT 3 GYMNASTICS
PRELIM- MIDTERM TOPICS
PREPARED BY PROF. NEIL JOHN DIOLA
PATHFIT 3 GYMNASTICS
PRELIM- MIDTERM TOPICS
PREPARED BY PROF. NEIL JOHN DIOLA
 PATHFIT 3 GYMNASTICS
PRELIM- MIDTERM TOPICS
PREPARED BY PROF. NEIL JOHN DIOLA

F. HANDS POSITION

HANDS ON HIPS-The hands are placed firmly just above the hips palms on the chest of the hip
bone. The four fingers forward and together, the thumbs behind. The wrist must sink a little to do
a good position for ease. Shoulders must be even, elbows straight out at the sides.
 PATHFIT 3 GYMNASTICS
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PREPARED BY PROF. NEIL JOHN DIOLA
HANDS ON WAIST- Hands are placed firmly at the smallest part of the trunk (waist). The
position of the hands is the same as hands on hips. (For the dancing position, the knuckles rest on
the waist and the palms face out. The fingertips are pointed toward the rear.
HANDS ON NECK- place the hands at the back at the lower part of the head, tips of the third
fingers of the left and right hands touching each other elbows apart in line with the shoulders
head erect.
HANDS ON THE SHOULDERS- place the hands on the shoulder with the fingers straight elbows
in line with the shoulders. Head erect.
SHOULDERS FIRM- the forearms are raised upward, elbows flexed, and kept close to the sides
as much as possible. Hands are placed on the shoulders. Elbows were carried as far to the rear as
possible.
HANDS ON FOREHEAD- place the hands on the forehead, palms facing inward, fingers close
together, third fingers touching each other. Elbows pulled backward and upward as much as
possible.

HANDS ON HEAD- place the hands on the head with the palms facing downward. Fingers close
together, the third finger touching each other, Elbows in line with shoulders.
Video for Gymnastics positions

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-
LU10Km1nj1ermJVQq3XLaRtExj5vFiF/view?usp=sharing