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Exploring the Impact of Music in Women’s Gymnastics
Exploring the Impact of Music in Women’s Gymnastics

Board Number:
6
Day and Time:
Tuesday: 12:15-1:05pm
Description:
In women’s gymnastics, music is not merely accompaniment—it is a required and integral part of floor routines, shaping both performance and perception. This project investigates why women’s gymnastics incorporates music and how it impacts athletes' motor performance and the judging of routines. The historical use of music in women’s (but not men’s) gymnastics is closely linked to traditional gender and cultural expectations. Originally, the women’s division of the sport intended to emphasize feminine grace and flexibility, and the accompanying music became a key aspect of execution and evaluation (Karimi, 2021). Given the growing interest in the impact of music on exercise and performance, and a potential area of investigation about its relationship with rhythmic sports such as gymnastics. Current research on the topic shows that the use of synchronous music in gymnastics training promotes enhanced acquisition of motor skills, increased flow state, and improved performance output (Tsopani, 2013; Alrashid, 2015). The musical background of gymnasts and coaches can also influence the interpretation and expression of the choreography (Fung Chiat & Fung Ying, 2012). Gymnasts work closely with the rhythm and dynamics of music to coordinate the timing and amplitude of their movements. These factors contribute to musical congruence between the rhythm and movement of gymnasts, which has been shown to positively influence judges’ evaluations (Veit et al, 2022). A study by Viet et.al (2022) shows that judges were more likely to rate movement and beat matched performances higher than interbeat and off sync performances. Overall, research demonstrates that music plays an important role in both the technical and aesthetic aspects of women’s gymnastics, shaping not only how routines are executed, but how they are judged and understood.
Faculty Sponsor:
Jasmin Hutchinson
Location:
Field House
Presentation Category:
Critical Interpretation Project
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Presenters:
Amanda Simpson
Session:
Posters and Multimedia - Session 3
Year:
Fourth Year
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