What happens when a gymnast exceeds the 45-second fall time during an exercise?

When a gymnast exceeds the 45-second fall time during an exercise, the exercise is considered terminated. The 45-second fall time is a guideline meant to ensure that routines maintain a certain level of flow and engagement. If a gymnast takes longer than 45 seconds to recover from a fall and return to the exercise, the judges must end the routine because continuing beyond that time could disrupt the event's pacing and fairness. Termination of the exercise means that the gymnast does not receive any score for that routine, which can significantly impact their overall performance in a competition. This rule emphasizes the importance of time management and consistency within the performance.