ABSTRACT
Technological development has revolutionized human life, mainly from the second half of the 20th century, drastically modifying sport practices, including Artistic Gymnastics (AG). This chapter provides an analysis of the fundamental role of the Elastic Technologies (ET) in AG training, from the elementary to high performance levels, and discusses its usage within case study from Brazil. The innovation of AG equipment has helped to propel higher and increase the speed of the gymnasts, which visually enhances the spectacle and helps to meet the media expectations for such an aesthetic sport. Technological advances reflect the search for AG surfaces and equipment with greater reactive capacity, which means a responsive apparatus to the pressure exerted on them and greater energy impact absorption. Brazil has only eight high-level AG training centers in operation. In Brazil, only two training centers have the in-ground Tumble-track, in contrast with what can be observed in the best international gymnasiums, as emphasized by Mr. Marcos Suzarte Goto.
