Split (gymnastics)
A Split is a body position in which the legs are parallel to each other and extended in opposite directions. Splits are performed in various athletic activities, including dance, figure skating, gymnastics, martial arts, synchronized swimming, and yoga. A person who has assumed a split position is said to be "in a split."
When executing a split, the legs form an unusually large, 180 degree angle. This large angle significantly stretches, and thus mandates excellent flexibility of, the hamstring and iliopsoas muscles. Consequently, splits are often used as a stretching exercise to warm up and enhance the flexibility of the leg muscles.
There are two general forms of splits:
- Front splits are executed by extending one leg forward of the torso and the other leg to the rear of the torso. In dance, a front split is named according to the leg that is extended forward (e.g., the right leg is extended forward when executing a right split).
- Side splits are executed by extending the legs to the left and right of the torso. Side splits are called straddle splits in dance and yoga, and may be referred to as Chinese splits in martial arts. Other names for side splits are box splits and center splits.
Variations
- In dance, a split leap is a split that is executed immediately after jumping, while still in the air.
- In a suspended split, the body is elevated and supported only by objects under the feet while in a split.
- Twisting splits, in which the performer transitions from front split to side split, and then to the opposite front split.
- In an oversplit, the angle between the legs exceeds 180 degrees.
- In an upside-down split, the split is performed upside-down
- In figure skating, splits are performed during spins, spirals, and split jumps.
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Popular Culture
Many people lack the flexibility required to execute a split and thus regard splits to be uncomfortable or even painful. Because of this widespread view, splits appear in slapstick comedy, schadenfreude, and other forms of entertainment.
Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme is known for his splits, as is WWE Diva Melina, Pussycat Dolls member Kimberly Wyatt for her standing oversplit, and former WWE Wrestler Rob Van Dam.
References
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