It’s a truism that many elite female gymnasts disappear from the sport while most male gymnasts seem to stay involved after they retire. Every coach has theories why so many girls want nothing to do with gymnastics after they “quit”.
Now coach Lukas Stritt is circulating an interesting study done by David Lavallee and Hannah K. Robinson at Loughborough University, School of Sport and Exercise Science, in the UK. Available online since 14 July 2006.
Though only 5 ex-gymnasts were studied, the conclusions are scary. And they ring true to me.
… Results revealed that participants had been encouraged to dedicate their lives to gymnastics and were, as a result, left feeling lost and helpless when they retired. After prematurely adopting an identity based solely on their role as a gymnast, many of the participants knew little about who they were and what they wanted to do with their lives, and were consequently forced to distance themselves from their past in order to establish a new identity apart from gymnastics. For those whose felt a constant external pressure to strive for excellence during their career, this process was particularly challenging and has lasted, in some cases, for the duration of their retirement. Distress can be avoided by engaging in pre-retirement planning from a very young age and subsequently maintaining control of the transition out of gymnastics by reducing participation gradually and finding a meaningful replacement.
abstract – In pursuit of an identity: A qualitative exploration of retirement from women’s artistic gymnastics
There is a serious problem in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics that is not so problematic in other women’s acrobatic sport. The drop-out rate is far too high. Our best kids often quit for no good reason.
Coaches need to do much, much better at finding ways to motivate teenage gymnasts. We cannot keep coaching using the same methodology that worked so effectively when the girls were age-10.
For most coaches, dealing with the ups-and-downs of teenage girls requires more skill and tact than anything else they do in the gym. I much admire those coaches who are good at it.
stock.xchng – gymnast – photo by melodi2
The full article is available for sale through the link. Or contact Lukas through his website if you want him to email it to you.
Lukas Stritt is a Swiss born sport scientist now living in St. John’s, Canada who consults and lectures in:
Training Programs Physiological Testing Services Biomechanical and Technical Analysis Postural Assessment and Analysis Psychological Skills Training Nutritional Counselling
Lukas Stritt – official website
He’s also a gymnast. Luke Stritt preparing to vault in competition at the Canadian National Championships in 2006 in Quebec City.
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Related post – poem for a departed gymnast – Charlie Amerosa
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