Why Are Gymnasts So Short?

The average female gymnast is about 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall. That is about 4 inches (10 cm) less than the average American woman. Why are gymnasts so short? Because their smaller frames provide significant advantages in the sport, including a better power-to-weight ratio. This enables gymnasts to perform complex maneuvers with greater ease and efficiency. A lower moment of inertia is also important. This physics principle states that a smaller body can rotate faster, which is essential for spins and somersaults. Think of it like a figure skater pulling in their arms to spin faster. Gymnasts with shorter limbs can achieve quicker rotations, making it easier to complete intricate routines within the limited time they have in the air.

As gymnastics routines have become more complex, the height of gymnasts has decreased. Simone Biles, who is one of the world’s greatest gymnasts, is 4 inches (10 cm) shorter than the average female gymnast. This has helped her execute some of the toughest moves in the sport. Notably, in 2021 she became the first female gymnast to land the most difficult vault, the Yurchenko double pike, during a competition.