How does force affect gymnastics?

Whenever the gymnast is not in contact with something ... such as the parallel bars,

the mat, the beam, the trapeze, or the rings ... [s]he is undergoing a downward

acceleration of 9.8 meters per second2. [S]he must take that into account, and be

sure to complete the current maneuver, or at least be in an appropriate position, by

the time contact with one of those external objects is re-established.