The Science Behind the Sport: Gymnastics History, Physics, Motor Development and Skill Progression

NOTE:  This course is not available as part of our subscription plans.  This course must be purchased individually. 

Course Description

This course is part 1 of a 10-part series which may be taken independently or as a part of Gymnastics Sports Medicine Certification (GSMC) offered by MedGym (For further details regarding the GSMC click HERE.)  The course will discuss the origins of the sport of gymnastics, development over the years, and the physics and kinematics of gymnastics movement.  The sport of gymnastics requires an immense amount of strength, balance, flexibility, and skill that need to be progressively taught and mastered before advancing. The skills and their values which create the points and scoring system are based on this progression. Proper performance of skills will diminish the likelihood of injury and increase performance quality. This course will walk the medical professional through understanding body shaping, equipment demands, the mental and physical stress on the body and possible barriers to success, as well as proper technique.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Module 1 

1. Recognize the physical, physiologic, and psychological demands of the sport of gymnastics.
2. Identify gymnastics terminology for skills and code of points so that return to sport for gymnastics can be guided with more sport specific knowledge.
3. Describe a gymnast’s gymnastics schedule cycle, practice demands, meet and travel demands, and student-athlete balance.
4. Discuss the culture of the sport in relation to health, wellness, and injury responsiveness.
5. Recall applicable physics and arthrokinematic theory in relation to gymnastics-specific movement.
6. Discuss equipment manufacturing, make up, advances, and surfaces with regards to physics, performance, and safety.

• Module 2

1. Recognize the physical, physiologic, and psychological demands of the sport of gymnastics.
2. Describe the culture of the sport in relation to level and skill progression.
3. Explain the process of motor development in the gymnast.
4. Discuss the importance of proper technique for skill development within the code of points.
5. Summarize how gymnastics helps across different sports disciplines (balance, agility, strength, proprioception, etc.) and other life skills (listening, discipline, commitment, tenacity, etc.).

• Prerequisites

  None

• Educational Level

  Basic

• Other

  Satisfactory completion of this course will require the participant to respond to various polling questions asked throughout the webinar.