In 1997, the minimum age for women gymnasts was raised to 16. Some thought it would usher in a less competitive era. Instead, athletes of incredible skill and longevity emerged.
Simone Biles of Team USA competes during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Vault Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
“If you look earlier in the '80s '70s, a lot of gymnasts looked the same,” said Janelle McDonald, the head coach of women’s gymnastics at the University of California, Los Angeles.The pressure to make it young and stay small was intense: Female gymnasts feared going through puberty since getting a period meant growing taller and gaining weight.
“Our sport is a sport of repetition, and the more you can get those reps under your belt, the stronger you are going to get,” McDonald said. Puberty is a critical time for growth: Testosterone levels increase in girls which helps to build muscle mass; and girls gain high levels of estrogen which helps to build bone density, said Dr. Anne-Marie Amies Oelschlager, a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist at the University of Washington who works with young athletes.
— is aided by the psychological maturity and the personal independence that comes with getting older, said Amies Oelschlager.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gillian Anderson Explains 1997 Emmys Kiss With David Duchovny‘X-Files’ star Gillian Anderson opened up about kissing costar David Duchovny before her boyfriend Rodney Rowland at the 1997 Emmys
Read more »
Horror Reboot Of 1997 Slasher Casts Riverdale & Outer Banks Stars, Original Actors In Taks To ReturnJennifer Love Hewitt in I Know What You Did Last Summer
Read more »
2024-25 NBA odds: Knicks open with highest win total since 1997-98Oddsmakers believe the New York Knicks will build on their success from last year, after blowing past their projected win total just a season ago.
Read more »
Prosecutors file additional charges against suspect in 1997 Lancaster sexual assault cold caseLancaster City Boxing Academy has the most amateur national boxing champs statewide. Their success stems from passion, a sense of family and a drive to be great.
Read more »
Berserk 1997 Anime Series Blu-ray Is Back In Stock With a Prime Day DealThe best Berserk anime adaptation is in stock and on sale for Amazon Prime Day 2024.
Read more »
Terminator heads back to 1997 in first trailer for Netflix animeNetflix has released the first trailer for Terminator Zero, an animated spinoff of the sci-fi series that starts streaming in August.
Read more »