Why was the vault changed in gymnastics?

Question

The original vault that was flat and this new one is curved. Was it because of the olympics when the height was wrong?

Answer 1

I used to be a gymnast and I remember the switch from the horse to the vaulting table.  It scared me at first because I thought my back was going to land on the table, but really the table is a lot better.  They switched to it because many gymnasts (olympians and beginners alike) injured themselves on the horse.  When running at such fast speeds, it is easy for a gymnast's hands to completely miss the horse.  Then they'd fall on their hands on the mat or possibly their head.  The table is also nice because it's soft and springy which makes it easier to bounce off of.  It's also not as hard on the wrists.

Answer 2

What do you mean?

Answer 3

I didnt know it was

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Answer 4

How was it changed?

Answer 5

I do gymnastics, and its because we need a broader surface to preform on because of the different ways we come onto the vault, the skinny one had more potential for risk to miss your hands and get seriously hurt! :) So that is why they decided to change the vault shape  

Answer 6

So young ladies and men would not be hurt as bad when they decide to crash into it.

Answer 7

because the tricks the gymnasts are doing are far more difficult and require a vault w/a larger surface.