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Gymnastics
Gymnast, you have to be aware that gymnastics is one of the most demanding and strenuous sports around. Right along with its tough and exacting nature come the injuries the gymnasts incur injuries as often as football players do?
While injuries are part and parcel of gymnastics and it will be difficult to steer clear of them completely, there are some ways that you can avert the worse of them. These safety measures take the form of body and mental alertness, adequate muscle strength and resiliency, and above all, clear communication with between the gymnast, coach and child.
The gymnast shouldn’t attempt to try moves that he hasn’t practiced yet, just because they look awesome, or because some of the other gymnasts can do it, or even just to impress his coach. Speak to the coach about your apprehensions and make sure he shares your concern. Make sure the coach is cognizant of the risks to the athletes and has implemented safety procedures to minimize them. Find out if he knows what to do in case an emergency happens and check to see if there is a first-aid kit in the gym. It’s also important that there’s a phone to call for medical help.
The coach is responsible for teaching the gymnast the basics of a certain skill, and to understand how to execute it properly. The gymnast should also be taught how to move his body safely to prevent injury in case a trick doesn’t turn out the way it should. See if this is explained and demonstrated to him during practice.
One other thing a gymnast should know is how to be attuned to his body throughout all its motion during the execution of a move. If for instance, he’s in the middle of a twist, she should be able to sense if he’s twisted far enough or too much. If he’s performing a somersault, he should know how far he’s rotated so he’ll be able to land correctly. Being aware of her body orientation at all times is crucial to keeping her safe from potential injuries.
Most times, injuries occur because some of the muscles involved in the execution of a trick are not strong enough to withstand the stress placed on the joints during movement. This often happens to children whose bones are still in the process of growing. The most common of these injuries are sprained or twisted ankles, which occur when the small but vital muscles that run down from the calf to the foot are not tough enough to cushion the joint underneath. To prevent sprained and twisted ankles, the muscles surrounding them should be trained and conditioned regularly. Make sure the coach implements sufficient conditioning exercises that include the ankles.
Finally, it is important to keep the lines of communication and awareness open between the gymnast, his teammates and coach. Make sure it is apparent to everyone what it is exactly the gymnast is being asked to do. If the coach instructs one thing and your gymnast understands him differently, he may end up executing something different and his coach may not be able to spot him properly. The gymnast should also be alert to his surroundings and what his other teammates are doing. Being unaware of what is happening around him can cause collisions, which are also one of the causes of injury.