In our gyms and sports organizations, we all want to see our athletes perform at the highest levels they can. Athletes train hard. Coaches dedicate their lives to their athletes. Parents pay copious amounts of money and time towards their child's dreams.
But in gymnastics, we still have a 77% major injury rate for our athletes.
How is this even possible?
It's because we haven't developed athletes with a solid foundation. As a sport, gymnastics has put SKILLS as the most important part of the equation.
So How Do We Change The Nutrition Culture In Our Gyms?
1. We have to recognize the importance of Nutrition & Hydration which is the base of our athlete.
We also have to combine this with rest and recovery to solidify the solid foundation. Nutrition, Hydration, Rest and Recovery form this amazing base that our athletes can then rely on when times get hard.
As coaches and parents, you have to make the difficult decisions to make the base the most important part of your athletes training.
Sometimes, this means cutting practice short to give your athlete enough time to sleep.
Gyms, you might have to make practice 3 1/2 hours instead of 4 hours to make sure your athletes are recovering, resting, and getting time to eat a delicious dinner. Athletes need 8-10 hours of sleep if they are over 12 years old, and 10-12 hours if they're under 12...and this needs to be a priority.
These are not easy decisions, but they are the right ones. The added bonus is more efficient coaching and a decreased injury rate.
2. Use science in your gym to increase performance.
We know that athletes perform better when they're hydrated, but many gyms will not allow their athletes to have a water bottle with them at all times.
This is silliness.
Hydration is key and it's part of the base of your athlete. Maybe you need to have a drink station at each event with an absorbent pad for the athletes to drink on. If that's what it takes, then do it. Don't create a disfunction in your athlete because you're worried about spilling water.
Your athlete is worth way more than your gym will ever be.
The mid-workout snack is another critical component where you can use scientific research to your benefit. In gymnastics, the skills are completed as anaerobic activity. Because of this, carbohydrates are the major fuel used in the sport, and the athlete has to eat carbohydrates to get the fuel into the muscles.
Utilizing a mid-workout snack, where your athlete eats FRUIT, is a great way to get a refill on energy for your athlete. The carbohydates found in fruit are quickly digestible and will give them that extra push to finish practice strong.Â
You don't need a dedicated snack time, it can be as simple as having grapes available for your athlete to put in their mouth in-between events, this would be an amazing energy boost for your athlete.
3. Be The Example
Your athletes need someone to look up to when it comes to nutrition, but so many times, your athletes see their coaches eating fast food right in front of them.
They also see a snack bar where the gym sells soda, candy, chips, and junk just to make some extra money.
How do you want your athlete to make good decisions when you're not willing to make them yourself?
Coaches, owners, and parents, it's time to step up your game.
Be the example that your gymnast and athletes need so they can be excellent.
Wrapping It Up
Changing the nutrition culture isn't easy, but you can start today.
What does it take to change your nutrition culture? It takes YOU making the decision to make your athlete's health the number one priority in your gym.
When you make your athlete's foundation the priority, skills will follow. Athletes will not be struggling with injury and your gym will be the leader in performance.
You can do this, and we're here to help!
