Defy Gravity – flickr
DEFY GRAVITY – but point those feet
Defy Gravity – flickr
why ex-gymnasts hate the sport after retirement
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.
If you are a member of Facebook, you can see a larger version – Facebook | Trip Lewis’ Photos – Gymnastics Pictures
Related post – poem for a departed gymnast – Charlie Amerosa
Olympic Sculpture: world tour
The 2008 Olympic Landscape Sculpture Design Contest International Tour is traveling the world.
Among a total of 2,450 sculptures submitted from 82 countries, 386 were finally nominated and 290 excellent pieces were confirmed.
Olympic Landscape Sculpture: Photos of New Zealand Exhibition « BEIJING OLYMPIC SCULPTURE NEWS
Another look at that one:
in New Zealand
(via BBC )
Courtney Kupets on Bars
Jackie Chan VISA Olympic Commercial
No doubt we’ll see some very creative commercials leading up to the Games.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
That’s 7′ 6″ (2.29 m) Yao Ming with him.
(via Beijing Olympic Games)
Michigan climbing NCAA Gymnastics rankings
Look who has quietly climbed to 4th position on GymInfo:
Always a contender, it’s time people start talking about how high U-M can finish this year.
They are a perfect 9-0 with some serious numbers. Congratulations to Head Coach Beverly Plocki and everyone on the team.
larger original – flickr – HologramOfLife
gymnastics coaching caption contest
What would coach Dave Adlard of Funtastics Gymnastics, Idaho have to say?
(Leave a comment below if you can fill in the blank.)
I’ll be out, as usual, for Dave’s competition Feb. 22-24th – the Great West Gym Fest.
Slightly more famous celebrities attending include Linda Metheny-Mulvihill (1964, 68, 72 Olympics), Joyce Tanac-Schroeder (68 Olympics), Stoyan Deltchev (80 Olympics), Shannon Miller (92, 96 Olympics), Jaycie Phelps-McClure (96 Olympics), Carly Patterson (2004 Olympic Champion) and David Durante, 2007 National Champion.
BEAM – guide to gymnastics for the non-gymnast
Another in a series by Rawles attempting, with difficulty, to explain the new FIG rules. They are very confusing.
Though Rawles jokingly refers to her blog as “an open book of hate”, it’s clear she loves beam. The post includes video, analysis and opinion on some of the top routines in the world.
All beam coaches should check the comments, as well. It’s a very controversial apparatus, at the moment.
original – flickr – Raphael Goetter
Related posts:
Nebraska Mens Gymnastics
Last week I made the pilgrimage to one of the most famous gyms in the States.
Just a few Husker greats of the past: Phil Cahoy, Jim Hartung, Steve Elliott, Scott Johnson, Wes Suter, Kevin Davis, Patrick Kirksey, Dennis Harrison, Richard Grace, Marshall Nelson.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Nebraska Men’s Gymnastics. Under the tutelage of the winningest active head coach in NCAA history, Francis Allen, the Husker men have placed first or second at the NCAA championships 15 of the last 24 years, advancing to the team finals on 16 occasions.
Of the current team, I knew best Canadian Stephen Tétrault who’s now a Senior and a leader. As with their women’s team, Nebraska has been popular with Canadians over the years including 1999 NCCA Champion Jason Hardabura.
Jim Hartung is one of the Assistant Coaches now. What goes around, comes around.
I’ll wear my Huskers Gymnastics t-shirt with pride.
Florida Gymnastics – highest score in NCAA
I haven’t seen Florida yet this year, the most exciting team last season, IMHO.
They rocked the house this weekend:
Florida reacts to hearing its winning total of 197.925 – the nation’s top score of 2008.
… Tonight’s meet was the Second Annual Gators Link to Pink, part of the Southeastern Conference’s initiative to help raise awareness about breast cancer. The Gators wore bright pink leotards and much of the crowd wore pink to show their support for the fight against breast cancer.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 