Old Gymnasts

[avraell]

Just to start off - I do not follow professional gymnastics at all, I did gymnastics from ages 6 to 9 and then my coach quit for a better paid position, this was in the former Soviet Union. Later I moved to the states and did martial arts and parkour, now I just work out regularly with heavy emphasis on static work (L-seats and straddles atm) and flexibility.

My questions are these:

1. Is it possible for someone to be a tumbling gymnast into their 30s and 40s without arthritis? Give examples if possible.

2. What about other types of gymnastics?

3. Who is the oldest professional gymnast and what is his/her list of permanent injuries?

4. Can male gymnasts achieve anywhere near the level of flexibility of female gymnasts?

Thanks in advance. I would prefer answers from active gymnasts/athletes, as pompous as that sounds - I just hate armchair athlete/parent opinions. Or armchair anything really. Coaches are good - as long as you still do SOMETHING yourself.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

Just to start off - I do not follow professional gymnastics at all, I did gymnastics from ages 6 to 9 and then my coach quit for a better paid position, this was in the former Soviet Union. Later I moved to the states and did martial arts and parkour, now I just work out regularly with heavy emphasis on static work (L-seats and straddles atm) and flexibility.

My questions are these:

1. Is it possible for someone to be a tumbling gymnast into their 30s and 40s without arthritis? Give examples if possible.

2. What about other types of gymnastics?

3. Who is the oldest professional gymnast and what is his/her list of permanent injuries?

4. Can male gymnasts achieve anywhere near the level of flexibility of female gymnasts?

Thanks in advance. I would prefer answers from active gymnasts/athletes, as pompous as that sounds - I just hate armchair athlete/parent opinions. Or armchair anything really. Coaches are good - as long as you still do SOMETHING yourself.

1. yes, possible to do it. no, not without incurring what probably will end the tumbling before it began. the incidence of achilles tendon rupture is the leading cause of injury in former competitive gymnasts after 30 years old.

2. yes. Cirque de Soleil.

3. Oksana Chusovitina. Originally from the old Sovet Union. now approaching 35 and hopes to compete at this year's World Championships. she is recovering from her 2nd achilles tendon rupture from last year. to my recollection, she has suffered a broken leg (landed short and stiff legged on a double layout on floor) at approx 14 years of age. dislocated elbow at 12 performing a jaeger. dislocated and broken kneecap at 16 years of age performing a front handspring front layout full on vault. and a broken hand at world championships in 1990 performing an onodi on beam. she finished the competition and still won vault if my memory serves me correctly. she is presumably still going strong. we'll see in a few months.

4. no.

 

[avraell]

1. yes, possible to do it. no, not without incurring what probably will end the tumbling before it began. the incidence of achilles tendon rupture is the leading cause of injury in former competitive gymnasts after 30 years old.

Are the ruptures caused by compounding micro-tears over the years, kind of like rotator cuffs in swimmers/baseball players?

Also, I am not quite clear on your first sentence - by "no, not without..." are our referring to the achilles tendon injuries or still talking about arthritis?

Either way, thanks.

dislocated and broken kneecap at 16 years of age performing a front handspring front layout full on vault

Wow - I don't see how her cartilage isn't almost completely gone after this...or if she is just dealing with the pain and ignoring it.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

i was referring to achilles tendon rupture.

and as i understand it, Oksana now has 2 half size knee caps.

Oksana is an abberation. i don't think we'll ever see another athlete of her longevity in my lifetime.

 

[ZJsMom]

I figure Chuso is super-human. I can't think of any other explanation.

 

[Aussie_coach]

Yes, its all possible and people do it.

Here in Australia nearly all gyms have adult gymnastics classes, and there is even a gymnastics club dedicated to only adults. Lots of people take up the sport in their 30's or 40's or even later and can still learn to do all sorts of tumbling skills.

If you have a look around the internet you'll find information on the masters games. This has gymnastics divisions for all ages over 30. You will notice they even have an over 60's and an over 70's division, and people compete in them.

Even in the regular competitions it is quite usual to see an adult or two competing, particularly in trampoline where there are some over 60.

At the olympic level you do see athletes in their late 20's quite often now and in some cases like Oksana into their 30's. The problem with compete at this level at an older age doesn't have as much to do with age as it does to do with the intensity of this sport. An athlete in their late 20's or early 30's should actually be a better gymnast that a 16-18 year old. They would have many more years of experience and would be far stronger. Women do not peak in strength until age 30, so a 16 year old have a long way to go.

However, gymnastics requires far to intense a training schedule to maintain for so long for most athletes. Elite gymnasts must train 6-7 hours a day for 6 days a week in order to be competitive internationally. This will begin by 12-13 years of age. The reason why so many gymnasts retire so early is that by 18 or 19 they have already been training these 40 hours weeks in an intensive sport for 6 or 7 years, not to mention all the training prior to this. Their bodies can handle no more and they become plagued with injuries. You are not to old at 30 it is just near impossible to maintain an elite training schedule for that many years.

Also its important to remember that an international gymnasts must train full time, they can't work enough to make a living, which is why so few continue past High school where their parents are supporting them. If you are brilliant and winning olympic medals by this age you could get some sponsorship but that is rare. Most will have to stop to do the normal things they need to do in life.

 

[gymnastbeth]

I saw this guy on youtube awhile back and was amazed: YouTube - 63 Year Old Gymnast
He isn't in competition shape, because obviously, he can't run for vault, but it still amazes and inspires me.