Anon Overstretching injury

[Anonymous (18a0)]

My daughter was injured last week and our gym ownership has taken the position that this is normal practice for coaches nationwide.

We as parents are skeptical but not sure so posting here.

Our daughters L5 team were doing a stall bar straddle stretch while the coach went down the line pushing their lower backs down to overstretch them. My daughter asked her to stop when it started to hurt and she continued to push causing her to scream out in pain. She was unable to finish practice and the next day we had an orthopedic physician diagnose her with a severe back strain.


I have the gym owners on record stating this is common practice to do these types of things and they can tell the coach to stop with our daughter but is a generally accepted practice.

Is overstretching and coaches pushing gymnasts down into splits or other similar positions ok because it feels wrong??

 

[Anonymous (96c4)]

Is it common practice? In my experience as a gymnast and coach, yes.
Do I think it is the best approach? I don't think so, because it is not the first time I've seen a muscle injury because of it.
I don't use it, because I prefer the gymnasts using their own weight and strength to do it.

 

[Dahlialover]

This is an old-fashioned method. It was common in the 1990s when I was a gymnast, but I have not seen it in the 2020s as a parent. Coaches at my child’s gym is not a “touchy” in general.

 

[Anonymous (18a0)]

In other words this is permissible per USAG etc. but dependent on gym/coaching style?

 

[Anonymous (95d3)]

In other words this is permissible per USAG etc. but dependent on gym/coaching style?

Key Policy and Safety Considerations:

• SafeSport and Physical Misconduct: Techniques that involve pushing down on a gymnast, forcing limbs into hyper-extension, or causing intense pain during stretching are flagged as unsafe and, depending on the severity and intent, can be classified as physical misconduct.
• Supervision and Consent: If overstretching is performed, it must be monitored and supervised correctly, with emphasis on the gymnast's comfort. Active, painful pushing by coaches is discouraged.
• Developmental Precautions: Coaches are encouraged to avoid intense, forced, or repetitive stretching on children, particularly in areas like the spine, hips, and shoulders, to avoid long-term damage to developing bones and growth plates.