A balancing act Simone Biles performing on the balance beam at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (delayed until 2021). She won a bronze medal in the event. (more) Why Are Gymnasts So Short? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/sports/Why-Are-Gymnasts-So-Short Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Mar 12, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot The average female gymnast is about 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall. That is about 4 inches (10 cm) less than the average American woman. Why are gymnasts so short? Because their smaller frames provide significant advantages in the sport, including a better power-to-weight ratio. This enables gymnasts to perform complex maneuvers with greater ease and efficiency. A lower moment of inertia is also important. This physics principle states that a smaller body can rotate faster, which is essential for spins and somersaults. Think of it like a figure skater pulling in their arms to spin faster. Gymnasts with shorter limbs ...(100 of 190 words)

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