Gymnastics, a sport that seamlessly blends grace, strength, and precision, has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. Yet, it's no stranger to myths and misconceptions. Let's talk about it.
1. MYTH: All gymnasts are short
Answer: Yes, there is some truth to this one. But I wouldn't generalize and say that ALL gymnasts are short.
Let me explain. Due to the nature of the sport, elite gymnasts usually start training at a young age, including around the time puberty would develop for most kids. Especially starting anywhere from the age 2-13, let's say, if you are practicing consistently enough, your growth will be stunted, but only temporarily. If you notice, when a gymnast lands or dismounts off an apparatus, they fly down with a lot of force. When the legs hit the floor, it takes all that force and kinetic energy the gymnast had when flipping/jumping/leaping, etc. Thus, when landing, that pressure and energy is exerted on the body. Doing this a couple of times, of course, it's not going to effect your body dramatically. But if you are practicing consistently, after several years of repetitive landings, jumps, and dismounts, the human body will have the response to naturally delay bone growth and height. Studies show gymnasts tend to have shorter sitting heights, shorter legs and arms, and delayed bone density growth than the average human body (for both men and women). But there is a benefit from this! Shorter gymnasts have the advantage of having better rotational speeds and an easier time getting height in the air.
Once a gymnast stops consistent training, they will get taller and grow as usual since the body is not under force and pressure that it was previously under consistently. That's why it's scary for gymnasts to take off a month of training from an injury, for example, due to the unknown fast changes that could happen to their body (like growing taller) because they would have to compromise some skills that aren't as easy or even possible anymore for a taller height. Now, they have to change their entire routine (so yes, it's a big deal).
2. MYTH: Gymnastics is a girl's sport
Answer: False, very false.
Gymnastics actually started as a men's sport and has continually included them alongside the addition of women to the sport. Men's gymnastics today is still very much active and sought out for gymnastics lovers. They might not be as well-known, maybe because male gymnasts peak at a little bit later of an age than female gymnasts. Thus young athletes getting into the sport are usually younger girls who would naturally be more interested in the female elite gymnasts as their role models. And that's what gets more attention in general a little bit. However, men's gymnastics has their own world of impressive techniques and more events than women (6 instead of 4).
3. MYTH: All gymnasts are naturally flexible
Answer: False!
You would think so right? But no, not all of us. Some of us are born with it. Some of us have to work for it. And even after working for it, some of us an easily lose it if we don't use it (meaning continually stretch). It does not come naturally with gymnastics. Flexibility is something that is practiced alongside all the power moves. A gymnast could very easily perform a double tuck, let's say, but when doing a split leap, their legs are less than 180°. Flexibility can be improved over time with dedicated stretching and training, allowing gymnasts with various starting points to progress in the sport.
4. MYTH: Gymnasts must start training from a very young age
Answer: No, not necessarily.
While many elite gymnasts start training at a young age, it's not a requirement for success. Many elite gymnasts start in Mommy and Me classes at the age of 2. Majority of gymnasts start around the age of 6. However, there are gymnasts who began later in life and still make remarkable progress. Alicia Sacramone started at the age of 9 and competed as an elite by the age of 15. Ludivine Furnon started at the age of 11 and was competing as an elite gymnast in less than 3 years in the 1995 Olympics! Dedication, discipline, and proper coaching can help aspiring gymnasts catch up. It all depends on the gymnast.
5. MYTH: Female gymnasts don't get their period
Answer: False. Female gymnasts do get their period, but it's usually delayed because of the intensity of training in gymnastics.
Amenorrhea is the medical term for the absence of having a menstrual cycle or a period. The intensity of exercises, training, and conditioning often results in a gymnast's lower body mass index, less body fat, and thus delays the menstruation cycle to begin in a female gymnast, especially since training is at peak around the ages of puberty in the pre-teen age years. Some gymnasts do end up getting their periods, but it is definitely more common for them not to have one until their body gets a chance to develop normally (alongside height which was addressed in an earlier myth above).
6. MYTH: Gymnastics is a solo sport only
Answer: No, it's not only a solo sport.
Gymnastics could be both a solo and a team sport. I can see where the confusion could arise. Compared to sports like volleyball or soccer, we are not competing together at the same time. However, we can compete together, just not at the same time.
Competitions like the Olympics, for example, have both individual and team events, showcasing the sport's diverse nature. It would be clearly stated that it's either a team meet or an individual meet. When it is a team meet, gymnasts will still be on the apparatuses by themselves, but their scores get combined with their teammates to compete against another team whether that's another country, club, school, etc. Gymnasts will usually wear the same leotard when competing as a team so that's one way to tell.
Conclusion
There you have it, the top 6 myths about gymnastics debunked! Although some of the myths have a bit of truth to them, many of them are just misconceptions or confusions about what is perceived about the sport. Don't let any of these myths stop you from starting the sport if you're interested!
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