Why do women gymnasts' outfits cover their arms?

Question

It seems strange: their outfits cover their arms but not their legs. Why is that way around?

Answer 1

The real reason is because of lines.  When the arms are covered you can tell when they bend or when they are straight.  It helps really to tell your precision and placement of where and how your arms should be and look.  It is a lot harder to tell this when in a sleeveless leotard.  Also it gives an opposite of the legs.  If your trick is really quick flipping, you will have flesh, color, flesh, color through the air.  I hope that makes some sense.    

Answer 2

It is because arms don't play too much of a role in their routines. They only need to be straight during uneven/high bars. They also play very small roles with the other events.

Legs are more important because you need a good landing with them. That is why their outfit doesn't cover their legs. Their legs need all the flexibility they can get for a proper landing. If their legs were covered with the outfits, improper landings could be the downfall of women's gymnastics.

Answer 3

I never thought about that but I would be curious to find out myself so I gave you a star!  My guess would be that the material allows their arms to glide along them without sweating sticky arms getting in the way of there perfection needs.

Answer 4

I believe it is because it keeps their muscles warm, you use your legs more then your arms, so they are not covered but the arms are. I used to do gymnastics.

When you are on the beam for example, your legs do all the work, your arms give you balance.