In this study, the development of routine duration (RD) in artistic gymnastics was investigated. Because of fundamental rule changes in 2006, the difference between the periods 1997-2005 and 2006-2019 and between the Olympic cycles (OC) over the entire period was examined. Therefore, 1387 routines were evaluated using video recordings. The results were: I) RD increased from 1997-2005 to 2006-2019 on pommel horse (36.0 to 44.0 s; p = 0.00), still rings (SR) (42.0 to 53.0 s; p = 0.00), parallel bars (PB) (35.0 to 50.0 s; p = 0.00), high bar (37.0 to 50.0 s; p = 0.00), uneven bars (UB) (32.5 to 36.0 s; p = 0.00), balance beam (83.0 to 85.0 s; p = 0.08) and floor female (87.0 to 89.0 s; p = 0.00), whereas floor male (67.0 vs. 67.0 s; p = 0.96) shows no differences; II) RD increase on SR from OC 2008 to OC 2012 (p = 0.00), at PB from OC 2012 to OC 2016 (p = 0.00), and reduced from OC 2012 to OC 2016 (p = 0.00) at UB. The increase of RD must be considered by coaches in order to prepare their athletes specifically for competitions.
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