I Was One of Those Gymnasts in the ER

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Dear "Niki",
not one signle parent ever "pushes" their child into gymnastics. yes, they may put them in a class at a young age, but this consists of having them do somersaults and learn to walk on the beam. It is the CHILD's decision to continue to a higher level of gymnastics. gymnastics is a dangerous sport, yes, BUT, it teaches chldern confidence, grace, and poise, and helps childer get in shape. (Female gymnasts are notoroiusly strong). All sports have halth risks later in life. Have you ever seen the concussion rate of high school football players? You should never restrict your child from playing a sport (and why soccer, of all things?). it is the GYMNAST's choice to participate in gymnastice, and punishing parents for neglicence is "frankly" ridiculous. I would question your sanity, but I am sure you have never experienced the thrill of flying through the air in your tumbling passes, or the exhiliration of sticking your first backhandspring on beam. and you have definitely NOT experienced the feeling of accomplishment when you satnd on the podium, recieveing your medal. gymnastics also creates a sense of sportsmanship and family, which your children are probably missing out on. (and do I feel sorry for them).
- A 14 year-old gymnast (who, amusingly enough, has a sister who play soccer)

Kiran of MA 1:01PM April 11, 2010

Frankly Niki, I hope all of your grandchildren get involved with gymnastics.

Maren of VA 2:32PM February 24, 2010

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Jsegmppo of OK 11:05AM July 14, 2009

Wow, it's obvious most of you people on here pushed your kids in gymnastics. Face it, gymnastics is a DANGEROUS sport. Yes, all sports have some risk of injury, but gymnastics has a much higher risk, incidence, and more seriousness than most other sports. Not to mention the health risks that most gymnasts face later in life including osteoporosis and arthritis. My children can play almost any sport they choose except ice hockey, soccer, and gymnastics. Frankly, I believe that parents that let their children participate in gymnastics should be punished for negligent behavior.

Niki of TX 2:47AM June 01, 2009

To anyone out there who thinks gymnastics is a team sport, its not. You must train as an individual to be all that you can be. Your team cant help you when you are doing your double back, or when you fall off the beam. Gymnastics is a 100% individaul sport.

of SD 11:22AM April 11, 2008

As an ER doctor, you only see the bad. I participated in team sports all of my life, most of them more towards the non contact variety, tennis, volleyball, cross country, and soccer. During my, as you see it, kamikaze romping, I sustained a few minor sprains/shin splints. Sure, it hurt a bit for a while, but, where I was healed, I went back out and competed again. I had the time of my life with my teammates. Once you're out of high school the opportunities for that high level of competition go to 0 for most people. Of the hundreds of students I partook in the sports with, one broke his thumb playing volleyball, and an other had to have some knee surgery. The one who had knee surgery ran cross country and only needed the surgery because he was so passionate for the sport and over exerted his body on a daily basis. His parents didn't push him to do it, his coaches didn't push him to do it, he wanted it. Now, after recovering, he's going to be running at Oregon, one of the better Track/Cross Country schools in the nation. Sports can be dangerous, people do get hurt. But as far as taking kids out of team sports altogether? That's just denying them some of the happiest times and feelings they'll have in their childhood.

Devon of WI 1:32AM April 10, 2008

Ramani you act like every single gymnast trains against their will and that they are all aneorexic. Not true. Most gymnasts are in the sport because they themselves want to be and most do not have an eating disorder. If you prevent your children from participating in a team sport when they want to, you're no different from the parents who force them to take part when they don't.
Gymnastics is a beautiful and fun sport. Just because it's not for everyone doesn't mean it's not for anyone.

GaiaGalit of VA 2:23PM April 09, 2008

As an occupational physician and ER doc, I think that all these sports are completely crazy. OSHA would shut down any business which made grown, highly trained men engage in activities even half as dangerous as those in which those poor, deluded, half-starved, 11 year old "flyers" do every day for free, their parents having preemptively signed away all their kids rights. I think the parents of my child patients are complete morons who are selling their kids down the river in the interests of popular entertainment. And yes, I do put it in those terms when child athletes with injuries show up in the ER, (unless, of course, a catastrophic injury has occured, in which their parents don't need my two cents worth.) And yes, I do have kids whose friends are all in team sports, but I personally discourage them from engaging in team sports beyond the elementary school level, even though they are both in schools where everyone who wants to play can join the team, and where most of their friends are into team sports. I do encourage them to engage in individual sports such as dance, weightlifting,karate and so on, but I think that team sports are no longer a net positive. So, while I will make room in the homework/chores/social schedule for an hour or so of karate, I sure as H*LL won't do so for soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, you name it, I hate it team sport.

Ramani of MO 11:35PM April 08, 2008

I think the media is addressing this study out of context. There are injuries in this sport and I wish they would have spent more time being helpful than "sensationalizing the story." The important point is to learn and do gymnastics in a controlled safer environment where the coaches are trained in safety and in developing core strength that will help avoid injuries. Schools where over 40% of the injuries occur are not a safe environment.
The Today show took and excerpt from the Video News Release that went along with this study and purported that an injury was caught on tape - that was a lie. It was my daughter - she was spotted in a safe environment and noone was hurt. In fact she won the State Beam Championship two weeks later.
While gymnastics can be a dangerous sport and should be done in a safe environment -soccer too can be dangerous. I have witnessed several concussions and broken bones. We all take chances and risks.

of OH 1:50PM April 08, 2008