The horizontal bar, also known as the high bar, is an apparatus used by

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gymnast Gymnastics is a type of sport that includes physical exercises requiring balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, dedication and endurance. The movements involved in gymnastics contribute to the development of the arms, legs, sh ...

s in

artistic gymnastics Artistic gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics in which athletes perform short routines on different apparatuses. The sport is governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), which designs the Code of Points and regulates ...

. It traditionally consists of a cylindrical

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(typically

steel Steel is an alloy made up of iron with added carbon to improve its strength and fracture resistance compared to other forms of iron. Many other elements may be present or added. Stainless steels that are corrosion- and oxidation-resistan ...

) bar that is rigidly held above and parallel to the floor by a system of cables and stiff vertical supports. Gymnasts typically wear suede leather grips while performing on the bar. Current elite-level competition uses a stainless steel core rail. The gymnastics elements performed on the horizontal bar are regulated by a Code of Points. A bar routine, which is a sequence of several bar skills, usually includes

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s with various grips (overgrip, undergrip, dorsal grip, mixed grip), in-bar work, turns, release and regrasp skills, and a dismount. The horizontal bar is often considered one of the most exciting gymnastics events due to the power exhibited by gymnasts during giant swings and spectacular aerial releases and dismounts that often include multiple flips or twists and, in some cases, airborne travel over the bar.

History

The horizontal bar was used by acrobats in

ancient Greece Ancient Greece ( el, Ἑλλάς, Hellás) was a northeastern Mediterranean civilization, existing from the Greek Dark Ages of the 12th–9th centuries BC to the end of classical antiquity ( AD 600), that comprised a loose collection of cu ...

and

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and on through the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...

. It was introduced into gymnastics by Johann Christoph Friedrich GutsMuths in his 1793 book ''Gymnastik für die Jugend'', which in turn inspired further use and development by

Friedrich Ludwig Jahn (11August 177815October 1852) was a German gymnastics educator and nationalist whose writing is credited with the founding of the German gymnastics ( Turner) movement as well as influencing the German Campaign of 1813, during which a coalition o ...

in 1811.

Dimensions

The mechanical dimensions of the horizontal bar apparatus are specified in

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's ''Apparatus Norms'' brochure: * Height: (including about landing mats) * Length: * Diameter of the bar:

Grips

The manner in which the horizontal bar is grasped by a gymnast is called the ''grip'' (not to be confused with the suede leather grips that are worn on the hands). Each grip is commonly used for a particular set of skills. When gymnasts compete on the horizontal bar they are often required by the Code of Points to use specific grips. * The overhand grip, or ''regular grip'', is the standard grip used for the horizontal bar. On the overhand grip the hands circle the bar with the backs of the hands facing the gymnast. *A ''dorsal grip'' (also known as the dorsal hang) is an overhand grip employed while the gymnast's legs pass through the arms into a "skin the cat" position.Sands and Conklin, 42. The overhand grip is used in giant swings, and the dorsal grip in German Giant Swings. * The ''reverse grip'' and ''underhand grip'', is the opposite of the overhand grip. The palms of the hands face the gymnast. It is similar to the grip used in chin-ups. Forward giant swings are among the skills that use this grip. * The ''elgrip'' is also an ''underhand grip'', In an ''elgrip'' or ''L-Grip'' or eagle grip a gymnasts hands are turned 180 degrees outward from an over grip. Thumbs are turned out, but in the opposite direction of an undergrip. This position requires flexible shoulders to swing comfortably. * The mixed grip is a combination of the overhand and underhand grips with one hand in each position. This grip can be used to gain more height on release skills. File:PB230185.JPG, Mixed grip File:PB230183.JPG, Overhand grip

Routines

Under the FIG Code of Points for men's artistic gymnastics, horizontal bar routines are dynamic presentations demonstrating "the full potential of the apparatus." They consist of the fluid connection of swinging, turning, and flight elements performed without pauses near to and far from the bar in a variety of hand grips.

International level routines

A horizontal bar routine should contain at least one element from all element groups: * I. Long hang swings with and without turns * II. Flight elements * III. In bar and Adler elements * IV. Dismounts

Scoring and rules

Gymnasts receive deductions for lack of form and errors. Specific errors on horizontal bar include bent or separated legs, pauses, low

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in flight elements, bent arms, regrips, elements not continuing in their intended direction, and deviations from the plane of movement.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Horizontal Bar Artistic gymnastics apparatus Sports originating in Germany