Technical and artistic performance of elite women’s pairs in acrobatic gymnastics

Acrobatic Gymnastics (ACRO) is an International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) discipline in which gymnasts perform exercises in pairs or groups, showcasing balance and dynamic elements of difficulty, along with choreography and music. This study aimed at investigating the technical and artistic performance tendencies among top-level ACRO’s women’s pairs. We analysed elements, floor usage, time allocation, and musical choices in the 26 exercises from the 2022 World Championship. Findings revealed a strong convergence in teams’ technical choices, prioritising elements with high difficulty and flawless execution. For instance, balance elements with no mount (87–90%), and base’s straight arm (91–97%) were prevalent. For dynamic elements, teams favoured top initially standing vertically with support from the base and finishing standing vertically (80–82%). There were significant differences in floor usage (p < 0.01), with Balance elements favouring corners and dynamic elements the centre. Time allocation also varied significantly (p < 0.0001), with Balance exercises dedicating more time to elements than Dynamic or Combined. Artistically, musical analysis revealed moderate tempos (107–118 bpm), with a tendency to increase in Balance exercise’s final quartile, preference for simple quadruple metres (51.4–59.1%), and minor keys. This study represents the first comprehensive analysis of both technical and artistic aspects of ACRO performance.