Aerobic Gymnastics is the discipline in which the ability to execute continuous, complex, high intensity aerobic movement patterns to music, originating from traditional aerobic exercises, is appreciated.
Each routine must show continuous movements, flexibility, strength and the use of the 7 basic aerobic steps, with elements of difficulty perfectly executed and combined through dynamic, original, creative movements called transitions. In pairs, trios and groups, interactions, collaborations and elevations should be shown.
Age groups used at UPAG
The UPAG follows the age groups established by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).
Gymnasts from the following age groups participate in the Pan American Championships and other area events:
- 12 – 14 years (Age Group 1)
- 15 – 17 years (Age Group 2)
- 18 years and over (Adults)
Aerobic Gymnastics Events
In this discipline, 6 categories are competed in:
- Individual Female ( 1 female competitor)
- Male Individual (1 male competitor)
- Mixed Couple (1 man and 1 woman)
- Trio (3 competitors: male, female, mixed)
- Group (5 competitors: male, female, mixed)
- Aero Dance (8 competitors: male, female, mixed)
- Aero Step (8 competitors: male, female, mixed). In this category steps are used as implements.
In each category there are 2 competition phases:
- Classification, from which the gymnasts move on to the respective finals.
- Final in which the 8 best qualified gymnasts/units participate
General requirements for Aerobic Gymnastics routines
A routine should include the following movements that should be presented following the music:
- Aerobic movement patterns
- Difficulty elements
- Acrobatic elements
- Transitions and links
- Lifts (lifts) in Mixed Couple, Trio and Group
- Physical interactions / collaborations in Mixed Couples, Trios and Groups
The routine should show a balance between the different components and make use of all the space. All movements must be and have a defined form.
Aero Dance is a group choreography that uses aerobic movements in a dance style. The routine must include a minimum of 32 Street dance beats as the second style and may include acrobatic and/or difficulty elements, but will not receive any value.
Aero Step uses basic steps with arm movements using equipment (step). The routine may not include elements of Difficulty or Acrobatic elements.
The duration of the routine is 1’20” and must be performed entirely to music.
It is possible for the gymnast to achieve additional tenths of a point by presenting complex links and combinations.
Apparatus in Aerobic Gymnastics
The competition floor is made of a laminated or synthetic parquet material and has an area of 12 x 12 m (40 x 40 ft).
For all categories the competition area is 10 x 10 m and in the case of some categories of the 12-14 age group the area is 7 x 7 m.
For the Aero Step, plastic or other synthetic material steps with a minimum weight of 5 kg and a height of 15 cm are used.
Evaluation of routines
There are 3 components for evaluation in the categories Individual, Mixed Couple, Trio and Group.
Artistic
The routines should seek a complex and original composition and meet the requirements in terms of:
- Music and Musicality
- Aerobic Content
- General Content
- Use of Space
- Art
Execution
Routines must show movements with perfect technique and maximum precision, correct form, posture and body alignment.
Difficulty
The elements and combinations in the routine are given a value according to their level of difficulty. These elements can be dynamic strength, static, jumps with/without displacement and balances and flexibility.
The sum of these values is divided by:
- 2 points for Singles, Mixed Couple, Trio (men) and Group (men)
- 1.8 for Trio (women or mixed) and Group (women or mixed)
The scores for Artistry, Execution, Difficulty and the Judges Panel Leader’s score (elevations) are added together to determine the Final Score.
At the end it is possible to apply deductions for other faults, for example, line, time, prohibited movement, among others.
For the Aero Dance and Aero Step categories, no consideration is given to difficulty or acrobatic elements, as the emphasis is on Artistry and Execution.
A complete Judges Panel for world level competitions such as World Championships or World Games is composed as follows:
- 1 Head of the Panel of Judges.
- Difficulty Panel, composed of 2 judges.
- Execution Panel, composed of 4 judges.
- Artistic Panel, composed of 4 judges.
Line and time judges are also part of the Panel.
The competitions organized by UPAG are the Pan American Adult and Age Group Championships held annually in conjunction with the Pan American Club Cup for all age groups including juniors (national development 9-11).
Currently this discipline is not considered in the programs of the Olympic Games and Pan American Games, however, it has been included in other types of multi-sport events such as the World Games (IWGA), the Gymnasiada (ISF), the World Universiade (FISU), the European Games, the Asian Games and the African Games.
