THE BALANCE BEAM AS AN ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS APPARATUS FOR WOMEN: FROM THE ORIGIN TO ITS CONSOLIDATION

Abstract

This article seeks to increase understanding of the historical development of artistic gymnastics, particularly women's participation in the sport. Through historical research, we analyzed the genesis and inclusion of the balance beam apparatus as a core component of this gymnastics discipline. The period under study ranged from the 1896 Olympic Games to the years between 1952 and 1964, which are known for the stabilization of the competitive characteristics of women's artistic gymnastics. We observed that, in the beginning, as in sport in general, women were excluded from this cultural experience. However, throughout history, we observed that the balance beam became a protagonist of artistic gymnastics, becoming a stage for both reinforcing and confronting what women could and could not do in this gymnastics discipline.