Gymnastics in Physical Education

Gymnastics is a highly valued sport, which teaches kids a lot of different skills and qualities that they won't learn participating in any other sport. This is why I think that gymnastics should be apart of the middle school PE curriculum. Just by adding gymnastics as one unit of PE in middle school, can encourage kids to be more healthy. Gymnastics helps to improve children's flexibility, strength, stamina, coordination, balance, power, agility, focus, grace and control. These skills can be applied and transferred to any sport across the board and even into children's academics. Even practiced at a low level in PE, it will still encourage children and teach them these skills.

PE in schools are very different for different kinds of children, some strive in PE while others suffer and feel embarrassed. Physical Education, usually isn't a level playing field, with some very seasoned, experienced athletes in one class along with other children who might not even participate in sports. That's why gymnastics is a great starting point, some children who may be amazing at sports like basketball, football, rugby, swimming etc. won't be as great in gymnastics, but that's okay it will teach them new skills and all the children will feel like they are progressing their skills at even pace. Gymnastics is very different to other sports, just because you are amazing at football and basketball, doesn't mean you'll be amazing at gymnastics, but it will help you to improve certain areas that could be applied to any sport.

Gymnastics is an intricate sport, which requires development of a lot different skills and qualities. According to fitness health revolution, “The raw physical strength, flexibility, power, agility, coordination, grace, balance and control required in gymnastics are impressive”(Health Fitness Revolution, 2015) This is significant, because most of these skills like strength, power, agility, coordination, grace and control are transferable to other sports. Football for example requires power, agility, control, grace and coordination, gymnastics is a great sport to teach these skills required for other sports. Why shouldn't it be taught in middle school PE? Let's take basketball for another example, basketball required strength, power, agility, coordination and control. These are all skills that can be learned during gymnastics.

Gymnastics is a sport that requires a lot of strength and it encourages kids to be healthy and work hard. Although gymnastics is very difficult, it encourages kids to work hard on becoming better and improving. According to Suzanne Allen “Five components of fitness for gymnastics include body composition, flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance and cardiorespiratory endurance.” (Allen, 2004) This is important, because it shows the how gymnastics does require strength and although it isn't the easiest sport, it can contribute to children's body composition to help boost their strength for other sports that they may participate in.

Although Some may argue that PE teachers are not qualified to teach gymnastics, it is taught to junior schoolers with bodies that are more fragile and weaker, so why can't it be taught to middles schoolers just as easily. This school has a very versatile, all rounded gymnastics program which teaches a huge amount of children how to do gymnastics. So why not give a taste of what this school has to offer. Why should we shut out the gymnastics program, when it can be shared with everyone, not just junior schoolers. In a poll taken from the 7-8 mentor class, 60% of the students said that they would like to try gymnastics in PE. So why can’t PE teachers be taught the correct qualifications, and carry gymnastics on into middle school PE.

Gymnastics is also a fun and unique sport, which is unlike no other, it has a huge combination of components in which other sports don't acquire. It also can be an extremely difficult sport, which can also be very rewarding. Middle schoolers should not miss the unique experience of learning gymnastics, and involving gymnastics in the middle school PE curriculum, will help them experience this. According to gymnastics zone, “Science finally has some facts to prove what we have all known for some time – Gymnastics is the most difficult sport on the planet for women (and men), both mentally and physically” (Gymnastics Zone, 2011) This is very important, because gymnastics is very difficult, making it a great learning experience. From personal experience, I know that gymnastics can be hard, but I am glad that I joined the sport. The reason that I joined gymnastics was that after my first gymnastics unit in PE, I was amazed. I was only in grade 4, but I was hooked I was instantly in love with the sport, and that has lasted with me until today being in grade 7 and still doing gymnastics at level 5.

In conclusion, Gymnastics is an amazing sport containing so many skills and qualities, that has to be taught in the middle school PE curriculum. More kids need access to try gymnastics and PE is the perfect way to give them that opportunity. Gymnastics should be encouraged because it teaches so many skills that can be transferred to other sports. Also gymnastics is extremely fun, interesting and unique and middle schoolers should be allowed to opportunity to experience that part of them sport.

"Science Shows Gymnastics Is the Most Difficult Sport in the World - Gymnastics Zone." Gymnastics Zone. N.p., 22 Nov. 2011. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
"Top 10 Health Benefits of Gymnastics - Health Fitness Revolution." Health Fitness Revolution. N.p., 23 Apr. 2015. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
"Five Components of Fitness in Gymnastics." Five Components of Fitness in Gymnastics. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.