Trampoline jumping as an Olympic sport: history and classification

There are a fairly large number of sports that can cause conflicting opinions. In addition to curling and chess, this includes trampolining. The fact is that many people perceive this sport only as a kind of outdoor activity, not implying any seriousness. However, a more detailed study of this lesson eliminates all possible thoughts on this subject. The mere fact that trampolining is an Olympic sport significantly increases the significance and authority of this exercise in the eyes of athletes and ordinary people.

Useful side

Considering the fact that trampolining is a rather difficult sport, it is worth paying special attention to exactly what effect it has on human health. The main advantages of this sport include the fact that it significantly develops the vestibular apparatus, increases the level of dexterity, endurance, flexibility and coordination of movements. In addition, do not forget that with active trampolining, a person will develop those muscles that are absolutely not involved in his usual life.

Moreover, the named sport can be considered an excellent way to prevent cardiovascular diseases. The thing here is that alternating loads during landing and flight allow the body's cells to receive more oxygen, which, in turn, leads to their better functioning, and also improves the metabolism. The result of all of the above is significantly better health after regular trampolining.

History

The origins of trampolining

This sport began to exist in the 30s of the last century. It was in those days that an American engineer named George Nissen invented the construction of a modern trampoline and gave it the name now known to all. Then the trampolines were used solely for insurance purposes for acrobats and various stuntmen.

After some time, trampolines ceased to be considered safety elements and gradually began to receive the status of simulators for various sports. Most often, these shells were used by gymnasts, when the latter needed to work out complex and dangerous tricks. As a result, this process led to the first national trampoline championship in the United States in 1948.

With each subsequent year, more and more countries paid attention to this spectacular sport. Gradually, national trampoline associations began to emerge. And after some time, a similar association arose in Moscow, which ultimately paid off to the whole country in the form of Olympic awards, which will be mentioned below.

Trampoline jumping as an Olympic sport

Olympic Games logo

Despite the rather long history and the fact that relevant international competitions were held in the 1980s, this sport did not immediately enter the program of the Olympic Games. The first trampoline competition at the Olympics was held in 2000. And many experts argue that, among other things, this happened due to the fact that shortly before 2000 this sport fell under the jurisdiction of the international gymnastics federation.

Since that time, the described sport can be found in the program of every summer Olympic Games. The most interesting thing for us here is that the first Olympic champions in men's and women's standings were the Russian athletes named Alexander Moskalenko and Irina Karavaeva.

Classification

Acrobatic Jumping

Trampoline jumping as an Olympic sport is divided into the following types:

  1. Individual jumps. They represent the performance of an exercise of ten elements during high and continuous jumps, during which athletes must show special rotations and pirouettes. This type, as a rule, contains both mandatory and free programs.
  2. Acrobatic track. On the corresponding track, 25 meters long, athletes must perform jumps with all kinds of rotations without any gaps between the elements. This option of trampolining does not imply a mandatory program.
  3. Synchronized jumps. Here competitions between male and female synchronized athletes are held. To win in this type of competition, you need to perform the same elements as synchronously as possible.
  4. Double minitramp. The youngest subspecies of jumping. Here, athletes run into a shell and, starting from it, perform special rotations and pirouettes.

Conclusion

Synchronized trampoline

So, trampolining as an Olympic sport is very exciting both for the audience and for the athletes themselves. Despite the small popularity so far, this sport has a rather rich and interesting history, which should allow it to win more and more fans every next year.


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