A review on the changes of the evaluation system affecting artistic gymnasts' basic preparation: The aspect of choreography preparation

Abstract

The Code of Points, the International Gymnastics Federation document directing gymnasts' training process in every Olympic Cycle, evaluates artistic gymnastics performances. The aim of this study was twofold: first to examine the most important changes of the Code of Points since 1996, affecting gymnasts' basic preparation and in particular the changes concerning choreography. Second, this paper aimed to review the relevant literature on the topic of choreography preparation in artistic gymnastics and to analyze finalists' performances in official competitions, thus exploring the contribution of choreography preparation in gymnasts' difficulty score. For the purpose of the present study Women's Artistic Gymnastics Codes of Points since 1996 were analyzed. In addition, the content of the finalists performances on floor exercises and balance beam in the Olympic Games of London 2012, World Championship in Antwerp, 2013 and European Championship in Moscow 2013 were also analyzed. The results of this study demonstrated that basic preparation of artistic gymnasts is an ongoing process, structured on the principles of "profile elements" and virtuosity of execution. Gymnasts' basic preparation focuses on choreography as a means of faultless execution and at the same time choreography preparation provides a new direction of developing difficulty while slowing down the "acrobatisation" and preserving the aesthetic quality of the sport.