am*pli*tude
What Is The Definition Of Amplitude In Gymnastics?
1. Amplitude is a term in gymnastics used to describe the height of a gymnast’s skill.
2. Amplitude can also be used to describe a gymnast’s performance when they execute a skill with greater quality than others. In this way, amplitude describes the degree of execution of a skill.
How Does Amplitude Relate To Score?
Generally speaking, the higher the amplitude the higher the score. On vault, if a gymnast has more amplitude, they have more time in the air to complete the same skill and therefore are less likely to land with their chest below the table. If they did, it would be a deduction.
Similarly on bars, if a gymnast does not have enough amplitude on their cast, they will get a deduction. If the gymnast avoids these deductions, they will have a higher execution score and therefore a higher overall score.
How Do You Get More Amplitude?
In general, to gain more amplitude an athlete needs to work on training the power-developing capabilities in the muscles required to perform that skill. Also important is working on postural integrity so that energy transfer from skill to skill is not dissipated in between. Specific movements can be applied by a gymnast depending on the event and skill they are trying to gain more amplitude on.
Example Of How Amplitude Is Used In Commentary
1. Part of the reason Simone Biles can perform more difficult vaults than all of her competitors is that she gets more amplitude off of the vault table.
Sport The Term Is Used
1. Gymnastics
