Published in USA Gymnastics Technique magazine 1999, this is still the definitive article. One I like to hand out to parents.
By Wm A. Sands, Ph.D.
Motor Behavior Research Laboratory
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
University of Utah
… What are the benefits of gymnastics?
A few of the key points:
• Gymnasts are among the strongest, pound for pound, of all the Olympic athletes.
• Gymnasts are among the most flexible of all athletes.
• Gymnasts are very good at both static and dynamic balance.
• Gymnasts learn early to fall without injuring themselves.
• Gymnasts are among the smallest and lightest of athletes.
• Gymnastics is a reasonably safe sport.
• Gymnasts tend to do very well in school.
• Gymnastics shares with other sports the opportunity to learn about teamwork, sportsmanship, fair play, dedication, patience, dedication, perseverance, and planning.
• Gymnastics helps people learn to work hard for objectives that can take years to achieve.
• Drug abuse in gymnastics, while not unknown, is extremely limited
read the entire article – Why Gymnastics – by Bill Sands (PDF)
Gymnastics Coaching.com 