Safety Tips For Young Gymnasts
It’s a parent’s instinct to worry the moment their little one shows interest in hitting the gymnastics mats. Like all athletic activities, gymnastics poses some risks for injury. However, those risks can be greatly reduced by taking safety measures in gymnastics. Practicing proper technique, maintaining strength and flexibility, using safe kid-friendly equipment and learning from experienced coaches will help with safety.
The following are several helpful gymnastics safety tips to keep your young athlete safe and put your mind at ease.
Protect the Hands, Wrists, Feet and Ankles
Young gymnasts, put themselves at risk for wrist and ankle strains, sprains and stress fractures. Thankfully, there is plenty of equipment available to keep your child’s wrists and ankles safe. Wrist straps, grips and guards can be used on the bars and rings. This helps to prevent blisters, sprains, strains and other painful injuries.
Similarly, the proper footwear can help prevent injury when your gymnast is practicing the balance beam or vault. A gymnastics shoe with a reinforced toe helps take away much of the pressure of landing when performing vault maneuvers. Shoes with rubber soles can also prevent slipping (and often foot or ankle injury) when practicing the balance beam.
Maintain Strength and Flexibility
Professional gymnasts are some of the strongest and most flexible athletes in the world. They didn’t get that way without practicing healthy lifestyles. It’s important for young gymnasts to maintain a healthy diet, stay fit and stretch often. This will help to remain less susceptible to common gymnastics injuries. Warming up and gently stretching the muscles and joints before practice is essential.
Understand Your Child’s Skill Level
It’s important for your child to have a qualified coach. Their coach will teach proper technique, and help your gymnast progress at a safe and productive rate. Speak with the coach often, and stay up to date on your child’s progression and skill level. When children attempt something beyond their skill level, they put themselves at a far higher risk of injury. Understanding that skill level will help you keep your child safe when practicing gymnastics at home.
Use Proper Equipment
Using equipment specifically designed for young gymnasts will help improve your gymnasts skills more efficiently and safely. Every young gymnast should learn the balance beam by progressing from a line on the floor to a high beam. Gymnastics safety mats should always be placed under the equipment being used to provide softer and safer landings.
Nimble Sports is the Number 1 place to purchase safe, home-use gymnastics equipment that is specifically designed for young gymnasts. Contact our Nimble Sports team for help choosing the ideal setup for your little athlete. Browse our entire selection of gymnastics mats, beams, horizontal bars and combo packages to create the ultimate home gym today.
