Karen Cockburn

Jason Burnett

Team CanadaSilver medalists in trampoline

Gymnastics

So you want to be a So you want to be a gymnast…gymnast…

Gymnastics can be both a fun and Gymnastics can be both a fun and competitive sport. Those who aspire competitive sport. Those who aspire to be an Olympic gymnast must be to be an Olympic gymnast must be committed 100 percent to their committed 100 percent to their training. It is sad to say that only few training. It is sad to say that only few will reach that goal. For a gymnast to will reach that goal. For a gymnast to train for competitions it requires 30 – train for competitions it requires 30 – 40 hours a week of training. For a 40 hours a week of training. For a child or teenager who is still in child or teenager who is still in school, this could affect their studies school, this could affect their studies and with the long hours of training and with the long hours of training they may have to leave school early they may have to leave school early to get in enough training time. to get in enough training time.

A normal training syllabus would A normal training syllabus would involve strengthening, conditioning involve strengthening, conditioning and working on flexibility. You may and working on flexibility. You may think that if you are not able to think that if you are not able to increase your flexibility or body increase your flexibility or body strength you will not be successful. strength you will not be successful. This is not true, because there are This is not true, because there are many different elements in many different elements in gymnastics. If a Gymnast is not gymnastics. If a Gymnast is not flexible but has impeccable upper flexible but has impeccable upper body strength they would train more body strength they would train more on the uneven bars then they would on the uneven bars then they would on floor. It may seem like a lot of on floor. It may seem like a lot of time and work but once your time and work but once your standing at the Olympic games, standing at the Olympic games, knowing that you made it that far, it’s knowing that you made it that far, it’s worth it.worth it.

2008 Beijing Olympics2008 Beijing OlympicsTop Five medal standings by Top Five medal standings by

nationnationOverall gymnasticsOverall gymnastics

ChinaUnited StatesRomaniaJapanFrance

Pick your element…Pick your element…

TrampolineTrampoline

Trampoline consists of four events: Individual, synchronized, double mini and power tumbling. The trampoline event is the newest addition to the Olympic games. In this event, the gymnast goes through a build up phase to achieve height. This is then followed by a sequence of ten leaps without any pauses. The gymnast would show their best aerial tricks to gain additional points for difficulty.

FloorFloor

The floor event involves elements The floor event involves elements of dynamic strength, static of dynamic strength, static strength, jumps and leaps, kicks, strength, jumps and leaps, kicks, balance and flexibility. This is the balance and flexibility. This is the only event in gymnastics that is only event in gymnastics that is performed entirely to music. performed entirely to music. There are different elements in There are different elements in floor such as Rhythmic, aerobic floor such as Rhythmic, aerobic and acrobatic gymnastics. Each and acrobatic gymnastics. Each shows the different strength of shows the different strength of the gymnast and Rhythmic the gymnast and Rhythmic gymnastics is the only floor event gymnastics is the only floor event that requires using a ball, ribbon, that requires using a ball, ribbon, hoop, clubs or a rope.hoop, clubs or a rope.

Parallel BarsParallel BarsParallel bars is an apparatus only Parallel bars is an apparatus only used by male gymnasts. It looks used by male gymnasts. It looks easy, just two bars parallel to easy, just two bars parallel to each other, but this event each other, but this event requires upper body strength. requires upper body strength. Any typical performance on Any typical performance on parallel bars will involve swinging parallel bars will involve swinging skills, a hanging position and an skills, a hanging position and an upper arm position. They are also upper arm position. They are also allowed to show a variety of flips allowed to show a variety of flips and turns. Like many events the and turns. Like many events the parallel bars end with an parallel bars end with an impressive dismount, either off impressive dismount, either off the ends of the bars or off the the ends of the bars or off the side of the apparatus.side of the apparatus.

BeamBeam

The balnace beam is an artistic The balnace beam is an artistic apparatus. This event requires apparatus. This event requires balance and performance. A balance and performance. A balance beam routine would balance beam routine would include both a mount and a include both a mount and a dismount off the beam. This is a dismount off the beam. This is a flip decided by the gymnast to flip decided by the gymnast to show their level of difficulty. The show their level of difficulty. The performance on the beam performance on the beam roughly lasts between 60 and 90 roughly lasts between 60 and 90 seconds. This routine will include seconds. This routine will include acrobatic elements, turns, leaps acrobatic elements, turns, leaps and dance poses. and dance poses.

Top InjuriesTop Injuries

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1.2skin tears

supraspinatusstrainbicipitaltendnitislower back

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ankles

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43F7-AB0F-530BEB6BF145%7D43F7-AB0F-530BEB6BF145%7D http://www.gymbox.net/images/Visebeam5Anaheim500_Kopie.jpghttp://www.gymbox.net/images/Visebeam5Anaheim500_Kopie.jpg http://www.logosportswear.com/embroideryclipart/Gymnastics.Girl%20on%20Balancehttp://www.logosportswear.com/embroideryclipart/Gymnastics.Girl%20on%20Balance

%20Beam.(GYM02).(3.99x2.79).2227.gif%20Beam.(GYM02).(3.99x2.79).2227.gif http://visual.merriam-webster.com/images/sports-games/gymnastics/trampoline.jpghttp://visual.merriam-webster.com/images/sports-games/gymnastics/trampoline.jpg http://perfect10.rustyparts.com/wp-content/uploads/ashleyfx2-315.jpghttp://perfect10.rustyparts.com/wp-content/uploads/ashleyfx2-315.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobic_gymnasticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobic_gymnastics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_barshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_bars http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balance_beamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balance_beam