some questions

[nina1980]

Hi al, my name is nina im 27, i have some questions about gymnastics routine.

my little sister is in gymnastics for 5 years now shes 12.

since 8 month they became a new trainer for her class.

the new coach said my sis and most other girls from her class must become much stronger. so he does so much conditioning with them

that all girls became visible muscularity, arms legs stomach etc.

i know it is normal that gymnasts were much stronger than other kids at this age.

but the girls now look like lil bodybuilder. all of them got four packed stomach muscles, some of them got ripped six packs and bulging biceps.

2 days a week they practice together with the boys on rings an pommel horse.

the classmates were happy that they are all that.

but i think it cant be healthy, they are only 11 - 13 years old.

i never heard of gymnast girls at this age that were so muscular, the boys ok thats normal.

anyone heard anything like that from others gym classes in this age group?

[Blairbob]

Our 14 year old is pretty buff for a girl. Take a look at any of the kids in TOPS in the U.S. and I'm sure they are as well as any Elite gymnast.

So long as their nutrition is good and sleep is good they should be fine. If their body fat levels start getting too low ( 10-15% for females ), they might have period instability that is common with female athletes and low body fat levels.

Boys are pretty scrawny at 11-13 year olds even when they are capable of impressive physical feats because they just lack the amount of testosterone to really bulk up.

Compared to other normal kids and athletes, gymnasts are very much beyond the norm physically except for perhaps sprinters, some types of swimmers, and wrestlers ( when it comes to females ). However, gymnasts also probably train more hours and have been training at their sports for more years prior compared to these other sports with girls in that age bracket.