Most coaches DON’T for fear of (later) being blamed for contributing to disordered eating.
The do at University of Georgia. Four times a year.
photo credit – Kelly Lambert… Amber Trani, who competed in the 2008 Olympic Trials just before beginning her freshman year at Georgia, came from a gym where coaches kept a close tab on their athletes.
“Back home, my gym was very strict,” she said. “We’d have weigh-ins, and they’d expect you to maintain your weight. You weren’t supposed to go up. It was restricted in that we weren’t supposed to eat breads and pastas. It was elite though. It’s supposed to be strict. You have to stay in the best shape to stay on top if you want to go anywhere.”
Once Trani got to college, she had more freedom to eat what she wanted. She said it was harder to eat healthy meals without a watchful eye. She’s realized that she had to make healthier choices, but she doesn’t have to restrict herself as much as she did when she was an elite-level gymnast. …
There are not any food restrictions placed on the Georgia gymnasts. …
The Gym Dogs also have a snack bar available to them in the practice facility where they can refuel if needed.
“It’s just really nice and convenient when you’re going from class to class,” Tolnay said. “Even if you’re here late studying, it’s just nice knowing that you can get some nutrition in you.”
The snack bar is stocked with Balance bars, protein and nutrition shakes and Powerade. …
“Our girls work with the food and nutrition lab and research lab here on campus,” Yoculan said. “They do their body compositions four times a year with the emphasis on increasing lean muscle mass and decreasing body fat. In addition to that measurement, it also looks at bone density and bone mineral content.”
Yoculan said the coaching staff has found that the gymnasts are at their optimum strength and perform more consistently when they have a 10 percent to 14 percent body composition.
“We don’t like them to go lower than 10 because that can cause a lot of problems for female athletes in general,” said associate head coach Jay Clark.
If the gymnasts’ body composition is too low, they are required to go to counseling. …
Online Athens – Balance key to Gym Dogs’ fitness
(via honey bear page on College Gymnastics Board)
Gymnastics Coaching.com 