GYMNASTICS FOR YOUTH

Background Gymnastics is dynamic sport, incorporates full body movements. Its exercise requires strength, balance, flexibility, ballet and art coordination. Young athletes as they grow have special needs, their body grows and changes, so they have to adapt the way exercise/gym element is executed. Injuries occur, therefore prevention or reduction of injuries risk factors require customized condition training program prepared for their needs. PGW training model incorporates training methods from 3 sports. Objectives GYM4U overall objective is to protect young athletes from health and safety hazards by improving training and competition conditions. Project addresses issues related to health protection of young gymnasts (7-14) through injury prevention, improvement of training and competition conditions, involvement in project activities, support the learning and know-how of all participants, practicing the model of safe condition training based on Power-GymTechnique-Water (PGW) model that includes 3 sports. Implementation Implementation of project activities took place in 3- countries by 5 project partners (3 gym clubs, powerlifting and sports facility): transnational meetings, PGW trainings (2xmonth per sport), workshop, gymnastic camp and 2 conferences. Framework has 2 parallel activities: management of the project activities and implementation of PGW training model. Project is managed and implemented by project manager, members from Project Team and the Steering Committee plus the trainers in home country. Achievements Through GYM4U project strong partnership with organizations in 3 countries was established; 5 transnational meetings (1 on-line), 2 conferences and workshop held; developed PGW training model; knowledge of team members on protection from safety hazards by improving training methods increased. Project management: monitoring and evaluation of activities, preparation of reports, work program, PGW model, lessons learnt, visual identity, PR/web administration, visibility & dissemination of results.