Sport Aerobics - Nature of The Game

Nature of The Game

The performance area is 7m × 7m. Performers fit into divisions: Junior Divisions, made up of Primary and Secondary teams; Novice Divisions including Individual Men and Women; Intermediate Divisions comprising Individual Men and Women, Mixed Pairs and Trios; and Elite Divisions including Individual Men and Women, Mixed Pairs and Trios. A three-person team may be made of any combination of men and women in a trio. Step teams and general divisions also exist.

The performances are made up of the following elements: dynamic strength, static strength, jumps and leaps (power), kicks (dynamic strength), balance and flexibility. The routine must be performed entirely to music. Three exercises are mandatory: four consecutive high leg kicks, four consecutive push-ups, and a phase beginning with four jumping jacks and comprising 32 counts of standing movements and patterns. Additionally, a maximum of ten elements from following families are allowed: push-ups, supports and balances, kicks and splits, jumps and leaps. Some movements in other gymnastic sports (sport acrobatics, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, etc.) are prohibited, such as handsprings, handstands, acrobatic flips, and aerial somersaults.

In the competition, women are required to wear a one-piece leotard, tights, white socks and runners, and their hair in a tight bun. While men must wear a unitard or body shorts and form fitting (lycra) shirts. Sometimes, men wear tights to prevent cold or for artistic purpose. Those clothes are often intricately designed with bright color.

Scoring of the performances is according to: artistic quality, creativity, execution, and difficulty. Artistic quality is the composition of the routine. Creativity is the variety of movements, lifts in pairs, trios and groups. Execution is the perfection of each movement. Difficulty is the number of required gymnastic elements demonstrating strength, flexibility, power and local muscular endurance.