Gymnastics is a popular sport for many girls in the United States and abroad. Countries such as Romania and Russia place a lot of pride in their young girls' gymnastic performances at the international level. Gymnastics can be an activity that bolsters the health of young girls, but the extremes of competition can also pose a health risk to gymnasts.
Early Years
Girls' gymnastics changes in terms of events and practice methods as young girls grow. The principles of gymnastics can be taught to young girls -- even toddlers -- in the form of tumbling, which uses somersaults and other coordination exercises to help girls develop balance and motor function. As girls get older, more technical and physically demanding skills and routines are integrated as they become introduced to gymnastics events.
Events
Girls' gymnastics events vary from one governing organization to the next, but most girls spend time practicing the same events that are featured at the Olympic level. These include the balance beam, floor routine, uneven bars and vault. Outside of strength-training and other general exercises, much of a gymnasts' training can revolve around practicing the skills and routines that will be implemented during competition. Gymnasts will work actively on these events and try to string together various moves in the order they will be presented during a performance.
Benefits
Gymnastics has several benefits shared by all sports, primarily the opportunity to enjoy physical activity and exercise while socializing with other children. But gymnastics is particularly good at strengthening the bone density of young girls. Research conducted at the University of Athens in Greece found that girls who participated in weight-bearing exercises such as gymnastics experienced improved bone density and strength.
Risks
In extreme conditions, gymnastics can be damaging both physically and mentally. According to a 2008 article on the website Jezebel, award-winning gymnast Jennifer Sey said girls in the United States gymnastics program in the 1980s experienced mental and verbal abuse in regards to their weight by coaches. Young gymnasts, Sey said, would often eat laxatives to try to lose weight. It is important for parents to be aware of these risks at highly competitive levels. Children's eating habits and interaction with coaches should be monitored to make sure an abusive situation does not develop.
