{{Short description|Artistic gymnastics apparatus}} [[File:2019-06-28 1st FIG Artistic Gymnastics JWCH Women's All-around competition Subdivision 2 Uneven bars (Martin Rulsch) 001.jpg|thumb|right|Berta Pujadas]] [[File:Paksaltoliukin.jpg|thumb|right|Nastia Liukin]] thumb|right|Lineup for practice The '''uneven bars''' or '''asymmetric bars''' is an artistic gymnastics apparatus. It is made of a steel frame. The bars are made of fiberglass with wood coating, or less commonly wood.<ref name=aboutwag>{{cite web |title=Gymnastics Internationals Federation: About WAG |url=http://www.fig-gymnastics.com/vsite/vnavsite/page/directory/0,10853,5187-188433-205655-nav-list,00.html |publisher=FIG |access-date=2009-10-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705100401/http://www.fig-gymnastics.com/vsite/vnavsite/page/directory/0,10853,5187-188433-205655-nav-list,00.html |archive-date=2009-07-05 }}</ref> The English abbreviation for the event in gymnastics scoring is '''UB''' or '''AB''', and the apparatus and event are often referred to simply as "bars". The bars are placed at different heights and widths, allowing the gymnast to transition from bar to bar. A gymnast usually adds white chalk to the hands so that they can grip the bar better.
== The apparatus == Uneven bars used in international gymnastics competitions must conform to the guidelines and specifications set forth by the International Gymnastics Federation Apparatus Norms brochure. Several companies manufacture and sell bars, including AAI in the United States, Jannsen and Fritsen in Europe, and Acromat in Australia.
Many gyms also have a single bar or a set of uneven bars over a loose foam pit or soft mat to provide an additional level of safety when learning new skills.
=== Dimensions === Measurements depend on the setting of the bar. Measurements of the bars are provided by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) in the ''Apparatus Norms'' brochure.
* Height: ** High bars: {{convert|250|cm|ft}}<ref name=aboutwag /> ** Low bar: {{convert|170|cm|ft}}<ref name=aboutwag /> * Diameter of bar: {{convert|4|cm|in}}<ref name=norms>{{cite web |title=Apparatus Norms |url=http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1540 |publisher=FIG |page=II/47 |format=PDF |access-date=2009-10-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219195725/http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1540 |archive-date=2011-12-19 }}</ref> * Length of the bars: {{convert|240|cm|ft}}<ref name=norms /> * Diagonal distance between the two bars: varies, {{convert|130|cm|ft}}–{{convert|190|cm|ft}} (adjustable)<ref name=norms />
== Routines == Routines usually involve a lot of strength, jumping, and swings. They are generally composed of a set of skills, each worth a particular value.
=== Evolution === The uneven bars apparatus originally consisted of men's parallel bars set to different heights. Consequently, the bars were very close together, and gymnasts could transition from one to the other with little difficulty. Routines of the early 1950s chiefly consisted of simple circles, kips, and static balance elements and holds. In the late 1950s, the trend shifted toward fluid motion, and gymnasts began to perform routines composed of more difficult circles, kips, beats (bouncing the body off the low bar while hanging from the high bar), wraps (wrapping the body around the low bar while hanging from the high bar) and transitions. Release moves also began to come into play, although they were almost entirely limited to transitions between the low and high bars. In the late 1960s/early 1970s, companies began manufacturing uneven bars as a separate specific apparatus. The design was changed slightly to allow the bars to be adjustable, with tension cables that held the apparatus to the floor. As a result of this change, coaches could set the bars farther apart. Additionally, the bars' circumference decreased, allowing gymnasts to grasp and swing from them with greater ease.
As other events in gymnastics increased in difficulty, so did the uneven bars. Gymnasts and coaches began experimenting with elements, attempting more challenging dismounts, and adapting moves from men's horizontal bar. In 1972, Olga Korbut pioneered the Korbut Flip, the first high bar salto release move. Nadia Comăneci continued the trend with her original Comaneci salto at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal and advanced handstand elements four years later. The giant swing, the staple of high bar in men's artistic gymnastics (MAG), was also adopted into the women's ''Code of Points'', and quickly became a basic uneven bars skill.
By the mid-1980s, routines had become so based on swing and release moves that the bars were moved even farther apart. The distance between bars increased even more as gymnasts developed complex transition elements that required space, such as the Pak salto.
For international elite-level gymnasts, there is a required distance between the low and high bar, called the FIG setting, where all elite-level gymnasts must compete.
Of all the apparatus in women's artistic gymnastics (WAG), uneven bars are probably the ones that have seen the most radical changes. Most elements from the 1950s and '60s bars routines, such as the Hecht dismount and the Radochla somersault, are now entirely obsolete and rarely used; others, such as the once-traditional beats and wraps, are impossible given the current diagonal separation between bars, and still others, such as static holds and the Korbut Flip, are not permitted under the current ''Code of Points.'' In USAG levels 1–5, everyone in the same level performs the same compulsory routine. In levels 1-3, the gymnasts stay only on the low bar. Once the gymnast reaches level 4, she uses both the low and high bars. In levels 6 through elite, gymnasts and coaches make up their own routines within specific requirements using both bars.
In Gymnastics Australia, gymnasts in levels 1-6 set routines that are scored out of 10. In levels 7-10 and elite, gymnasts perform optional routines that adhere to set guidelines and meet certain requirements.
=== International level routines === A routine on the uneven bars must consist of:<ref name=ub>{{cite web |title=WAG Code of Points 2009-2012 |url=http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1258 |publisher=FIG |page=24 |format=PDF |access-date=2009-10-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219204732/http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1258 |archive-date=2011-12-19 }}</ref> *Flight element from high bar to low bar and vice versa *Flight element on the same bar *At least two different grips and a close bar circle element *Non-flight with a turn on the bar, for example, turning handstands *Dismount
=== Scoring and rules === Judges score routines based on difficulty, form, technique, and composition. Deductions are taken for execution errors, poor form, falls, pauses, "empty" swings (extra swings that do not lead into another skill), steps on the dismount, and other mistakes. Falls incur an automatic deduction of 1 full point in the 2009 FIG CoP. For levels 1-10, a fall is 0.5 points. Also, if the gymnast hits the low bar with her foot/feet (as Beth Tweddle did at the 2008 Olympics bars qualifications, and Viktoria Komova did at the 2012 Olympics bars apparatus finals), a deduction of 0.1 to 0.5 points will occur depending on the severity of the hit. The same deduction occurs when the gymnast hits one or both feet on the floor while performing a skill on the low bar.<ref>{{cite web|title=WAG Code of Points 2009-2012|url=http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1258|publisher=FIG|page=15|format=PDF|access-date=2009-10-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219204732/http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1258|archive-date=2011-12-19}}</ref>
==== Apparatus specific rules ==== thumb|right|Youna Dufournet preparing the bars with chalk Gymnasts are permitted to tape their hands or use grips or hand guards on bars level 4 through elite. Their coaches are also permitted to apply chalk and/or water to the bars to ensure gymnasts don't slip off; some gymnasts may apply diluted honey to their grips.<ref name="norms"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Allentuck |first=Danielle |date=2019-10-08 |title=For Gymnasts, Getting a Grip Is Sweeter Than … You Know |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/08/sports/for-gymnasts-getting-a-grip-is-sweeter-than-you-know.html |access-date=2023-10-23 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Unlike high bar and rings in MAG, gymnasts may not be lifted to the uneven bars to begin their routines. They may mount the apparatus with either a simple or a difficult skill on either the high or low bar; running mounts and springboards are permitted.<ref name=ub />
Once the routine has started, the coach may not physically interfere with the athlete. The coach can stand on the mat during release moves and dismounts. If the gymnast falls on one of these skills, her coach can catch her or break her fall; the coach can also lift her back to the high bar to continue her routine. If a springboard has been used for the mount, the coach is supposed to quickly step in and remove it so that it does not interfere with the routine.<ref>{{cite web|title=WAG Code of Points 2009-2012|url=http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1258|publisher=FIG|page=3|format=PDF|access-date=2009-10-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219204732/http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1258|archive-date=2011-12-19}}</ref>
If a gymnast falls from the apparatus, she has 30 seconds to re-mount. Within this time limit, she can readjust her grips or chalk her hands again if necessary. However, her routine will be finished if she does not return to the bars within 30 seconds. Many judges are flexible with this rule, especially if the gymnast took a hard fall and needed a minute to shake it off and regain her focus. Often, the judge or judging assistant will give the gymnast a ten-second warning.<ref name=ub />
==Olympic champions at the uneven bars== thumb|right|Shaden Wohdan, Qatar thumb|right|Asal Saparbaeva, Uzbekistan {| {{MedalistTable}} |- |1952 Helsinki<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 1952 Summer Olympics}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Margit Korondi|HUN|1952 Summer}} |Maria Gorokhovskaya<br>{{flag|Soviet Union|1936}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Ágnes Keleti|HUN|1952 Summer}} |- |1956 Melbourne<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Ágnes Keleti|HUN|1956 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Larisa Latynina|URS|1956 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Sofia Muratova|URS|1956 Summer}} |- |1960 Rome<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Polina Astakhova|URS|1960 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Larisa Latynina|URS|1960 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Tamara Lyukhina|URS|1960 Summer}} |- |1964 Tokyo<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Polina Astakhova|URS|1964 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Katalin Makray|HUN|1964 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Larisa Latynina|URS|1964 Summer}} |- |1968 Mexico City<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Věra Čáslavská|TCH|1968 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Karin Janz|GDR|1968 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Zinaida Voronina|URS|1968 Summer}} |-valign="top" |1972 Munich<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Karin Janz|GDR|1972 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Olga Korbut|URS|1972 Summer}}<br />{{flagIOCmedalist|Erika Zuchold|GDR|1972 Summer}} | align="center"| ''none awarded'' |- |1976 Montreal<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 1976 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Nadia Comăneci|ROU|1976 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Teodora Ungureanu|ROU|1976 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Marta Egervari|HUN|1976 Summer}} |-valign="top" | 1980 Moscow<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 1980 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} | {{flagIOCmedalist|Maxi Gnauck|GDR|1980 Summer}} | {{flagIOCmedalist|Emilia Eberle|ROU|1980 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Maria Filatova|URS|1980 Summer}}<br />{{flagIOCmedalist|Steffi Kräker|GDR|1980 Summer}}<br />{{flagIOCmedalist|Melita Ruhn|ROU|1980 Summer}} |-valign="top" | 1984 Los Angeles<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 1984 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Ma Yanhong|CHN|1984 Summer}}<br />{{flagIOCmedalist|Julianne McNamara|USA|1984 Summer}} | align="center"| ''none awarded'' | {{flagIOCmedalist|Mary Lou Retton|USA|1984 Summer}} |- |1988 Seoul<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Daniela Silivaș|ROU|1988 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Dagmar Kersten|GDR|1988 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Yelena Shushunova|URS|1988 Summer}} |- |1992 Barcelona<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Lu Li|CHN|1992 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Tatiana Gutsu|EUN|1992 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Shannon Miller|USA|1992 Summer}} |-valign="top" |1996 Atlanta<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Svetlana Khorkina|RUS|1996 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Amy Chow|USA|1996 Summer}}<br />{{flagIOCmedalist|Bi Wenjing|CHN|1996 Summer}} | align="center"| ''none awarded'' |- |2000 Sydney<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Svetlana Khorkina|RUS|2000 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Ling Jie|CHN|2000 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Yang Yun|CHN|2000 Summer}} |- |2004 Athens<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Émilie Le Pennec|FRA|2004 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Terin Humphrey|USA|2004 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Courtney Kupets|USA|2004 Summer}} |- |2008 Beijing<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|He Kexin|CHN|2008 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Nastia Liukin|USA|2008 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Yang Yilin|CHN|2008 Summer}} |- |2012 London<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Aliya Mustafina|RUS|2012 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|He Kexin|CHN|2012 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Beth Tweddle|GBR|2012 Summer}} |- |2016 Rio<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Aliya Mustafina|RUS|2016 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Madison Kocian|USA|2016 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Sophie Scheder|GER|2012 Summer}} |- |2020 Tokyo<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Nina Derwael|BEL|2020 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Anastasia Ilyankova|ROC|2020 Summer}} | {{flagIOCmedalist|Sunisa Lee|USA|2020 Summer}} |- |2024 Paris<br />{{DetailsLink|Gymnastics at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Kaylia Nemour|ALG|2024 Summer}} |{{flagIOCmedalist|Qiu Qiyuan|CHN|2024 Summer}} | {{flagIOCmedalist|Sunisa Lee|USA|2024 Summer}} |-
|}
== Injuries == A study of competitive collegiate gymnastics injuries found that almost as many injuries occurred on uneven bars as on the floor.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Chandran |first=Avinash |last2=Roby |first2=Patricia R. |last3=Boltz |first3=Adrian J |last4=Robison |first4=Hannah J. |last5=Morris |first5=Sarah N. |last6=Collins |first6=Christy L. |date=2021-07-01 |title=Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Gymnastics: 2014–2015 Through 2018–2019 |url=https://meridian.allenpress.com/jat/article/56/7/688/467963/Epidemiology-of-Injuries-in-National-Collegiate |journal=Journal of Athletic Training |language=en |volume=56 |issue=7 |pages=688–694 |doi=10.4085/1062-6050-635-20 |issn=1062-6050 |pmc=8293879 |pmid=34280287}}</ref> Falls from the bars can lead to serious injuries or paralysis; Taylor Lindsay-Noel was paralyzed during an attempted dismount from the apparatus in 2008.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=James |first=Royson |date=2008-08-28 |title=Paralyzed gymnast waits for miracle |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/paralyzed-gymnast-waits-for-miracle/article_f4ce9c0b-b3de-516e-be84-ed3234b89fa2.html |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}}</ref> On rare occasions, accidents have been fatal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yan |first=Evan Simko-Bednarski,Holly |date=2019-11-12 |title=College gymnast Melanie Coleman dies after a fall on the uneven bars |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/11/us/southern-connecticut-state-gymnast-dies-after-fall-trnd/index.html |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> In 2021, Séverine Emeraude Djala Abaka, a Cameroonian gymnast, died shortly before the African Championships, where she had intended to compete, after falling on her neck.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 May 2021 |title=Drame: les dessous de la mort tragique de Séverine Emeraude Djala Abaka |trans-title=Drama: the behind the scenes of the tragic death of Séverine Emeraude Djala Abaka |url=https://www.camerounweb.com/CameroonHomePage/SportsArchive/Drame-les-dessous-de-la-mort-tragique-de-S-verine-Emeraude-Djala-Abaka-598882 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623055822/https://www.camerounweb.com/CameroonHomePage/SportsArchive/Drame-les-dessous-de-la-mort-tragique-de-S-verine-Emeraude-Djala-Abaka-598882 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |website=CamerounWeb |language=fr}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links and sources== {{Commons category|Uneven bars}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090212150907/http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/public.php?folder=243 The 2009-2012 ''Code of Points''] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090705100401/http://www.fig-gymnastics.com/vsite/vnavsite/page/directory/0,10853,5187-188433-205655-nav-list,00.html Apparatus description at the FIG website] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20041010224857/http://www.usgyms.net/bars_skills.htm US Gym Net's glossary of uneven bars skills] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20051215101403/http://www.gymnasticsrevolution.com/GymInteractive-Bars-BackHipCircle.htm Animations and explanations of basic bars skills] *''The Complete Book of Gymnastics'', David Hunn, Ward Lock Ltd, London, 1980, {{ISBN|99903-963-2-9}} *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20170107171430/https://g-flash.net/en/category/uneven-bars-en Description of gymnastics technique by animation]}}
{{Artistic Gymnastics Apparatus and Equipment}} {{Footer Olympic Champions - Artistic Gymnastics - Women's Uneven Bars}} {{NavigationWorldChampionsArtisticGymnasticsWomenUnevenBars}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Artistic gymnastics apparatus