Elite and Competitive Gymnastics

Overview - To be a top gymnast you require the grace and flexibility of a ballerina, the speed of a sprinter, the strength of a wieghtlifter, the balance of a tightrope walker together with the endurance of a swimmer and the bravery of no other sport known. Gymnasts at the highest level should be by the perfect physical specimen, the most complete physical feature known to man.

Selection - Gymnasts are generally selected for a trial at four to six years old. The assessment is made by the squad coaches based on various strenght and flexibility tests. Not all children are suited to competitive gymnastics, and it is our experiance that children are placed in a suitable class/group. The AGA Development Squad participate in Physical Preperation sessions, their programme includes Strength, Flexibility, Endurance and Co-Ordination. These sessions also include some gymnastic elements but normally only 30%, the remaining session will be prepartion type work rather than huge gymnastic skills.

Flexibility - One of the greatest benefits of stretching is that youre able to increase the length of both your muscles and tendons. This leads to an increased range of movement, which means your limbs and joints can move further before an injury occurs, self preservation. This is vital for gymnastics where gymnasts need to perform various splits and bridges on all pieces of gymnastics apparatus. Flexibility training can be uncomfortable, but is vital to the safe practice of the sport.

Strength - Gymnastic Skills at every level require a certain amount of strength. If you dont have strength, you will never learn a new skill, no matter how many times you are assisted or attempt it. While hereditary is a distinct factor in the strength potential of young gymnasts, strength can be developed with the correct strength training programme.

Conclusion - As the gymnast finishes the Development Squad Programme the coaches have a fairly good indication of your childs physical profile and their potential in the sport, depending on how they respond to the work on strength/flexibility. From this the number of training sessions will be worked out. At this point gymnasts will be directed into Elite Performance, Club Performance or Recreational Gymnastics, while others may elect to stop and move into other sports. The basic groundwork done will allow progression into athletics and diving to name but a few. It is important that parents and gymnasts realize that this is not a pass/fail situation. It is simply a case of directing your child into the most appropriate direction. Many ex-gymnasts have excelled in other sports, having a good basic grounding and physical prepartion in Gymnastics.

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Aylesbury Gymnastics Academy Gymnasts wipe the floor clean at Southern Region Floor And Vault Competition!