The term Gymnastics is used as a generic term and includes all Gymnastics recognised disciplines (Acrobatics, Aerobics, General (Gymnastics for All). Gymnastics is an anaerobic sport. Anaerobic means "without oxygen." Gymnasts tend to have middling levels of aerobic(with oxygen) capacity.
However, gymnasts are among the strongest and most flexible of all athletes. Gymnastics performances usually last under 90 seconds. The level of intensity of the activities is too high for long-term performance such as seen in endurance sport long duration events like the marathon. Most sports are anaerobic in nature. Only the long term endurance sports such as cycling, swimming, and running are largely aerobic.
Gymnastics is an "acyclic" sport which means that the same movements are not repeated over and over .
Strength:
What child hasn't been told to eat their vegetables so they can grow up and be 'big and strong'? While nutrition is a key component of building healthy bodies, it is not the whole story. Children's bodies need to move and be tested in order for them to achieve optimum health. Gymnastics is an ideal way for them to do this, as it uses their own body weight and gravity as resistance. Handstands, cartwheels, rolls, bar work, vaulting, balancing and bouncing all work to build strength for dynamic activities, as well as core strength for balance and control.
Flexibility:
Flexibility is essentially the ability to move. Each muscle group has a range of possible motion. With increased flexibility, we are able to take advantage of that full range of motion. In gymnastics, children stretch and move in a variety of ways, freeing up their various muscle groups. Increased flexibility also aids in injury prevention. A stretched, flexible muscle is less likely to strain or tear.
Strong Bones:
Weight-bearing activity is strongly encouraged by the CDC for bone health, as it promotes increased bone density. This is especially important for young people. As we age, we stop building bone mass and eventually begin to lose a little each year. Building strong, dense bones in our youth offers great protection throughout our lives. Gymnastics is a fun, healthy way to learn a variety of weight-bearing skills and increase bone density and strength.
Fit, Healthy Bodies:
Children who suffer from obesity are more likely to have risk factors for heart disease, asthma, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes. Obese children are also more likely to struggle with weight into their adult lives. Being involved in a fun, active, challenging physical activity is part of the healthy lifestyle required to combat obesity and its related health issues. Currently, many of our schools have limited or no physical education, and far too many of our children spend their spare time in front of video games, televisions, and computers. Current guidelines recommend 30 minutes of moderate activity 5 times a week, as well as flexibility activities one each week and weight-bearing activity 3 times each week to promote healthy hearts, lungs, bones, and muscles. Each gymnastics class includes cardio, strength, and flexibility activities, and is a great way to not only add these activities to a child's routine but also teach them healthy habits which can follow them for a lifetime
Confidence:
Nothing builds confidence quite like wondering if we can do something and finding out we can. The harder we work for it, the more meaningful and lasting the feeling of success. Gymnastics offers repeated opportunities to succeed at a higher and higher level, constantly challenging the athlete, and constantly rewarding those who rise to the challenge.