What does cardiovascular endurance have to do with gymnastics?

Answer 1

Compared to many other sports gymnastics is not oriented towards cardiovascular fitness. Because strength and power are so important in gymnastics, too much work on endurance exercises actually reduces strength. The only endurance important in gymnastics is muscular endurance. Events such as women's uneven bars, men's high bar, parallel bars, rings and pommel horse require more muscular endurance and strength. The longest routines are no more than 90 seconds for men and women's floor exercise and the balance beam. Floor exercise requires a cardio-fitness foundation but this is the only event in gymnastics. Most high level gymnasts work endurance by performing routines and stay away from jogging and other forms of aerobic exercise. The primary focus in training is short-term energy systems, strength, power and speed.