THOMAS FLAIRES ON THE POMMEL AND FLOOR: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

To win bonus points, gymnasts must execute skills with creativity, virtuosity, and consistency. Creativity is demonstrated by introducing new skills, combining existing ones, or adapting skills that were initially performed in a particular apparatus to other ones. Virtuosity is expressed by executing skills with exceptional technique. The Thomas Flaires (circles performed with the legs split as shown in Figure 1) were originally introduced and performed on the pommel horse, but have since been adapted on other apparatuses including the floor exercises and parallel bars. Understanding the complexity by which consecutive Thomas Flaires are performed and what effect—if any—the different physical characteristics of the two apparatuses may impose on the execution of the skill would be valuable to coaches and gymnasts seeking to improve performance, judges evaluating gymnastics routines, and scientists studying motor skills.