Uneven Bars
The uneven bars (often abbreviated as UB or simply “bars”) is one of the main apparatuses in women’s artistic gymnastics. It consists of two horizontal bars set at different heights. The bars themselves are made of fiberglass with a wood coating. Athletes must perform a continuous sequence of swings, releases, transitions between the bars, twists, and finally, a high-difficulty dismount.
This event is famous for its dynamic nature, requiring a unique combination of strength, precision, timing, and courage.
Main Components of the Apparatus
Bars:
High bar: The bar positioned higher above the ground.
Low bar: The bar closer to the ground.
The bars are not rigid; they are designed to bend and vibrate, which gymnasts use to generate momentum for their skills.
Setup:
The height and spacing of the bars can be adjusted according to each gymnast’s height and preference.
Typical settings:
Height difference: Around 150–180 cm (5–6 feet)
Distance between bars: Around 130–180 cm (4–6 feet)
Core Elements of a Routine
A world-class routine is a flowing sequence of complex skills, but all are built on several essential elements:
Grips: Gymnasts wear leather grips with finger holes to protect their hands and maintain a firm hold, reducing friction and tears.
Kip: A fundamental movement where the gymnast swings from a hanging position to a support position on the bar.
Cast to handstand: A strength and control skill where the gymnast pushes up to a vertical handstand on the bar.
Giant swings: Full 360° swings around the high bar in a fully extended body position. These generate momentum for releases and dismounts.
Transitions (bar changes): Moves between bars:
Low bar → High bar (e.g., kip to high bar)
High bar → Low bar (e.g., flight element like a Pak salto)
Release moves: The most spectacular elements, where gymnasts let go of the bar to perform flips or twists before regrasping the same or opposite bar. Examples include:
Jaeger salto (forward flip regrasp)
Tkachev (straddle release over the bar)
Pak salto (high bar to low bar transition)
Turns: Rotations around the bar’s longitudinal axis, often performed in handstand positions.
Dismounts: The grand finale of the routine. Gymnasts use momentum from giants or releases to perform multiple flips and/or twists before landing solidly on the mat.
Scoring and Rules
Difficulty Score (D-score): The combined value of the gymnast’s 8 hardest elements (including the dismount), plus connection bonuses and composition requirements.
Execution Score (E-score): Starts at 10.0. Deductions are taken for:
Form breaks (bent knees, flexed feet)
Steps or falls on landing (up to -1.0)
Pauses or hesitations in rhythm
Failure to meet routine composition requirements
Extra assistance (like stepping on the bar to mount)
The final score = D-score + E-score.
Evolution and History
The uneven bars have undergone dramatic changes over the decades:
1950s–1960s: Bars were set close together and made of wood. Routines emphasized elegance, positions, and pauses, resembling men’s parallel bars.
1970s: Fiberglass bars introduced more flexibility and speed. Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut revolutionized the event with dynamic releases and a backflip dismount.
1980s: Athletes like Nadia Comăneci introduced more complex release moves and higher dismounts. Bar spacing widened to accommodate these skills.
1990s–Present: Routines evolved into fast-paced, continuous sequences filled with multiple high-flying releases, intricate connections, and extremely difficult dismounts. Gymnasts like Svetlana Khorkina became known for their unique combinations and innovation.
Legendary Uneven Bars Gymnasts
Olga Korbut (USSR): Popularized the modern dynamic style.
Nadia Comăneci (Romania): First gymnast to score a perfect 10.0 on uneven bars at the Olympics (1976).
Svetlana Khorkina (Russia): Uneven bars specialist with two Olympic golds and five World titles, famous for originality.
He Kexin (China): Olympic champion in 2008 and 2012, celebrated for technical mastery and difficulty.
Sunisa Lee (USA): 2020 Olympic champion, recognized for her high-difficulty skills and unique connections.
Conclusion
The uneven bars remain one of the most spectacular and crowd-favorite events in women’s gymnastics. They showcase the perfect fusion of strength, elegance, and fearlessness—qualities that define the very essence of artistic gymnastics.