Gymnastics commonly involves physically fit athletes performing different movements with precision, grace, technique and skill. To perform each movement, gymnasts need a variety of fitness components. Successful gymnasts use these fitness components to improve training and overall performance. The fitness components in gymnastics include muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and body composition.
Muscular Strength
Muscular strength is defined as the ability to exert a maximal amount of force with one or more muscle groups. For a gymnast, muscular strength is used in nearly every skill and serves as the foundation for learning new skills. For example, without a minimum strength level, a gymnast will need to relearn a skill as strength improves.
Muscular Endurance
Gymnastic competitions can take hours to complete as each gymnast performs in various events. As a result, gymnasts must possess a high level of muscular endurance -- the ability to maintain a sustained work level -- to maintain a high level of strength throughout the entire competition. For example, the floor exercise requires repeated movements over an extended time frame that requires muscular endurance.
Cardiovascular Endurance
The level of conditioning and cardiovascular endurance plays an important role in the overall training program for gymnasts. Without the ability to gather, process and deliver oxygen to the working muscles, training efforts will yield minimal progress. With cardiovascular endurance, however, a gymnast will have the ability to prolong physical activity to improve performance.
Flexibility
Flexibility refers to the amount of range of motion in a muscle group or joint, and gymnasts are traditionally known for having a superior level of flexibility. The flexibility makes it possible to perform the various movements and skills such as tumbling, flips or jumps. Having an adequate amount of flexibility also improves balance and coordination to perform gymnastics stunts effectively.
Body Composition
Body composition is the relationship of lean muscle mass to fat mass --- an essential fitness component for gymnasts. A low body-fat percentage improves flexibility and the ability to perform various movements. To achieve optimal body composition, top gymnasts follow a specific nutrition plan that includes a balance of complex carbohydrates, lean protein and healthy fats.
References
- "The CrossFit Journal"; What is Fitness?; Greg Glassman; October 2002
- Sports Fitness Advisor; Gymnastics Training Section; Phil Davies
- Sports Fitness Advisor; Flexibility Training Section; Phil Davies
- Brian Mac Sports Coach; Conditioning; Brian Mackenzie
- Functional Fitness Facts: The 5 Components of Physical Fitness
- Sports Fitness Advisor; Body Fat Percentage: What Gets Measured; Phil Davies
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