Back Pain

[hammy]

When they're on their stomaches it's usually called "superman" but I also like my kids to understand that it is also "whip" shape. The only bad thing about calling it an 'arch' is that kids want to bend their back more than open up their shoulders and hips. Hollow is also known as Scoop---you'll often hear coaches tell their kids to "scoop" in their tap swing--a tap swing should go from scoop in the back to whip under the bar to scoop in the front.

[audra]

We call the superman position a "tight arch" trying to get our kids to understand that just because it is an arch it does not have to be loose and saggy. When teaching BWO I actually have students push up to a bridge by a wall and then walk their feet up to hold the tight arch before kicking over. It is a position we work hard for in a BHS as well.

[hammy]

Audra---that's a good idea for the back walkover, I never really thought to do that.

[ShootingStaRr]

Quote:
Originally Posted by littlegymchampsmom Thanks for your thoughts... I know so many that have back troubles later on in life.. myself included. & wear and tear takes a toll in really anything that you do. I am more curious to know what happens when younger girls, I have read between the ages 9 & 15, have back pains... particularly when they do their backwalkovers. Any comments from experience or not are much appreciated

yeah. i used to get very sore back when i used to train and i still do.
mine was also due to uneven conditioning and skills to do with my back (mostly walkovers)

i used to crunch my back up alot in walkovers so i started doing walkovers with my foot on a 4 level high box top and stretch out my shoulders place my hands further away from my foot.
this helped a lot, i could do a lot more walkovers but it still hurt after heaps.

[TDiver]

I think that a lot of the back pain is caused by uneven conditioning. Many gyms focus on strengthening the core and forget about the back muscles. Some of the back injuries are unfortuantly just freak accidents like many other injuries though. But you are less likley to hurt your back if it is stronger.

My back injury came from an overuse injury and not knowing when to stop. It took nine months for my coaches to find out about my back injury. I hid it quite well and had told a couple of my teamates who promised not to say a word. Finally enough was enough and they told the coach who told my parents. I went to the doctors that week. I waited until it hurt to stand, sit, lay down, and I couldn't even sleep at night. I have to say that is probably the only thing in life I regret that I have done. I now have to deal with the DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease) in my back and will have pain the rest of my life.

The moral of the story is.. look for signs of back pain and ask your child or athlete if everything is okay. It's a lot easier to hide an injury if no one is asking you about it.

[newbiecoach]

Gymnasts and backs are two words that dont get along!
I was a competitive gymnast growing up I started at age 5 and competed from age 9 till I was 17. In college post gymnastics career. I started to have serious back problems, spasms and at times I couldnt walk! I saw several doctors finally two years ago (one year out of college) I got an xray done. I have a degenerative disorder that effects the L4/L5 area. On the xray it looks like a piece of the bone has been worn away. It pinches the nerve nearby now much easier. The real term is spondylosis.

I coach now and one thing that was not driven into my head enough as a kid was a good hollow position I have my kids hold hollow when waiting for turns during conditioning etc. Holding the correct position is very important though.
Every bone in their spine should be pushing against the mat. To check this try and push your hand under their lower back you can also have kids practice putting pressure on your hand so they feel the difference.

Maintaining a strong core both abs and back will help prevent injuries like these!