Combined elements are body difficulties that consist of two or three elements performed in a coherent manner. In the program, they are counted as one unit of difficulty. Their "formulas" can be very different: jumps, balances and turns can be combined with each other.
Combined elements came about when rhythmic gymnastics went down the path of increased difficulty, in the 1970s. Before that, at the stage of the creation and formation of the sport, gymnasts' exercises consisted mainly of dance elements and waves, simple turns and jumps. This is described in detail in the scientific article "Evolution of the Contents of Competition Programs in Rhythmic Gymnastics" by Raisa Terekhova, Elena Medvedeva, Elena Kryuchek, Alexandra Suprun, Alina Malneva and Alina Kabaeva.
As rhythmic gymnastics developed, athletes began to increase the amplitude of movements, combining them and introducing new forms. And the domestic school of gymnastics, relying on classical choreography, allowed to improve the gymnast’s training, which led to a significant increase in physical abilities. By the end of the decade, gymnasts began to perform elements with an amplitude of up to 180 degrees. At the same time, combined elements finally became established in rhythmic gymnastics.
These kinds of elements look impressive and require not only good technique, but also well-developed natural abilities. Using combined elements in an exercise allows the gymnast, on the one hand, to save time by performing two or three elements at once, and on the other hand, to show her unique strengths.
Due to their complexity, combined elements are especially valued in the International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs Association rules. According to them, gymnasts must perform up to four units of these elements in a program. They are also in group exercises, but there can be a maximum of two in one type. According to the rules, a jump can be combined with a balance, a turn or another jump in programs. Same goes for balances and turns.
At competitions according to the International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs Association rules athletes often combine, for example, different jumps, balances and turns into back and front splits, into a ring, side ones. Also in the exercises you can often find a transition into balance or a turn from the Italian fouette. Thus, the International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs Association tournaments give an opportunity to see unique combinations that make the gymnasts’ performances more interesting, spectacular and memorable.