The sport of artistic gymnastics is viewed from a multidisciplinary point of view. The training, performance, and judgment of the sport undergo specialized study of interest to sport scientists, teachers, coaches, and athletes. Organized into five major sections, the book presents such themes as the psychological, physiological, biomechanical, aesthetic, and judgmental aspects of gymnastics. Each section contains practical problems that have been encountered by a group of internationally qualified gymnasts, coaches, and judges. Discussed are important issues in gymnastics such as chronic medical problems, sources of energy expenditure, development of enriched psychological environments, biomechanical misconceptions, persistent problems in skill learning, development of strength and flexibility, aesthetic laws of gymnastics, and evaluation of gymnastic judging. Explanations in several of these areas are punctuated with tables, figures, photographs, and graphs. (Author/JMF)