Physical Activity Alliance的动态

What a story with this year’s Olympic GOLD medal winning USA Women’s Gymnastics team! This win isn't just about medals; it's about the powerful narrative of resilience, mental health, and reclaiming the love of sport. Over the last several years, we've seen athletes prioritize their well-being, demonstrating that joy and health in sports are just as important as winning. This is a different story from when I was a gymnast. Then, coaches often used their power and position of authority to push you down. Mental health wasn't a priority, and pushing through injuries was the norm. The sport was everything, often at the expense of the athlete. As a mom and a coach for my daughter’s gymnastics team, I see firsthand the impact this new story has on our daughters and sons. We're moving away from a generation where the sport was everything, with little regard for the gymnast. Now, we're embracing a healthier, more balanced approach. It's a tremendous shift, showing our kids that their worth isn’t only tied to their achievements but also to their happiness and well-being. This is the story we are rewriting. It's a testament to the strength and courage of our athletes, and it sets a powerful example for the next generation. I’m so inspired by these women and so thrilled for the future of our incredible sport. ??https://lnkd.in/eR6wbazC #olympics #usagymnastics #mentalhealth #teamusa

As nurses and healthcare professionals, we often draw inspiration from unexpected places. This year, the US women’s gymnastics team, led by the incredible Simone Biles, has given us a masterclass in resilience, determination, and teamwork. Simone aptly calls this journey a "redemption tour," not just for herself but for the entire team. In the previous Olympics, they faced numerous setbacks, including injuries, mental health challenges, and the weight of immense expectations. Yet, at the Paris Olympics, they came together, united in their goal, and brought home the gold. Even during these current games, the team encountered falls, injuries, and other obstacles. But not a single member gave up. They supported each other, pushed through the pain, and emerged victorious. As healthcare professionals, we too face daily challenges—whether it's navigating the complexities of patient care, dealing with resource limitations, or managing our own physical and mental well-being. The unwavering spirit of the US gymnastics team reminds us that setbacks are inevitable, but giving up is not an option. Together, with resilience and support, we can overcome any challenge. Let's channel that same determination in our work, knowing that with the right mindset and teamwork, we will also emerge victorious, both individually and as a united healthcare team. Photo credits: NBC News #Nursing #Healthcare #Teamwork #Resilience #Inspiration #USAGymnastics

?? Important Update in British Gymnastics Safeguarding Policies ?? British Gymnastics has introduced groundbreaking rules aimed at eliminating harmful practices in the sport, marking a significant shift towards athlete welfare. Coaches will no longer be able to weigh gymnasts ??, a practice identified as "on the fringes of abuse," which previously included invasive actions like searching athletes' bags for food ??. This policy change follows the revelations of The Whyte Review, which uncovered "systemic" abuse within gymnastics. The review highlighted instances where weigh-ins were misused as a form of punishment, leaving young athletes "physically exhausted" and mentally distressed. Coaches like Griffiths, who employed such harmful techniques, are now banned from coaching ??. In addition to the new weigh-in rules, British Gymnastics has implemented a hydration policy declaring it "physical abuse" to deny gymnasts water or restroom breaks during training ????. Athletes are now encouraged to hydrate regularly, and restroom visits should be allowed at the earliest opportunity ??. These measures are designed to create a safer environment for gymnasts ???, helping to prevent eating disorders and mental health issues related to weight management pressures. ?? Read more about these policies here. At #Halt4Kids, we wholeheartedly support these changes. Our project aims to provide recommendations and learnings to ensure that sports are a safe space, especially for children ??. #AthleteSafeguarding #ChildProtection #SportsEthics #HALT4Kids #SafePolicies #ChildSafety #SafeSports

From the pixie gymnastics stars of the 1970s to the 13-year-old skateboarding stars of the Tokyo Olympics, girl-child sports prodigies have always captured global media attention. Despite our collective fascination with these athletes, young girls are often subject to significant mental and physical vulnerabilities in elite sporting environments. Research from Dr Brigid McCarthy is examining the role of the media in shaping potentially harmful narratives of the girl-child sports prodigy. “In the last decade, we’ve seen many examples of the mental and physical toll of elite sport on young girls. The Larry Nassar sexual abuse case in the United States spurred global revelations about toxic training cultures and abuse in elite gymnastics. In 2022, the world watched a 15-year-old figure skating gold medallist crumble on the Olympic ice following a positive doping test.” “Yet each time another group of ‘pocket rockets’ rises through the sporting ranks, there is instant media fascination with their presence,” Dr McCarthy says. Dr McCarthy's work has so far examined the coverage of Olympic gymnasts and skateboarders to better understand how the media produces child sports stars. She has found that the media takes an “exceptional until proven vulnerable” approach to the coverage, despite discourse around girls’ safety in these contexts. “The debate about whether it might be safe or appropriate for a child to compete in elite high-performance sporting environments like the Olympic Games is typically only raised at moments of crises.” While sporting bodies around the world have begun to introduce more stringent approaches to child safety, and have even raised minimum competitive ages, Dr McCarthy’s research points to the role that the media can play in contributing to the oppression of girls in sport. “The media must recognise the need for a more careful and ethical approach to covering the elite girl athlete despite the cultural fascination with exceptional children.” Read more: https://bit.ly/3ycfuei #LaTrobeHumanitiesAndSocialSciences #LaTrobeUniversity #Sport #Olympics

A moving “lift as you climb” story, that appeared on my feed via Cristiana Oprea, is also a reminder of how important it is to build a strong, supportive team in business as well. ?? In my experience, the best results come when team members support each other, instead of trying to climb over each other. This mutual support is rooted in each individual’s values and principles, with a shared belief in achieving something great. Learning from each other, sharing experiences and ideas, supporting each other at work, creates deeper connections and helps team members grow together. “Lifting while you climb” is a mantra of a healthy culture and a good mantra for a meaningful life.???? #Leadership #Teamwork #LiftAsYouClimb #SupportiveCulture #BusinessSuccess #Learnings #Liftingwhileyouclimb #Lifewithpurpose #Growth #SimoneBiles #Mindset

## Debunking Myths About Sports and Height Growth in Children Many parents believe that certain sports can influence their child's height. Gymnastics is often thought to stunt growth, while basketball and swimming are believed to increase it. Let’s break down these myths. ### Gymnastics and Height: Separating Fact from Fiction **The Myth:** Gymnastics can stunt a child's growth. **Reality:** This belief is likely due to the observation that many elite gymnasts are shorter. However, this is more about selection bias—the sport favors shorter, more compact builds. The primary factors affecting height are genetics, nutrition, and overall health, not the sport itself. ### Basketball and Swimming: Can They Make Your Child Taller? **The Myth:** Playing basketball or swimming can increase a child's height. **Reality:** While these sports promote overall health, which supports growth, they don't increase height beyond genetic potential. Tall basketball players are often genetically predisposed to be tall, and swimming improves posture and flexibility rather than actual height. ### The Real Determinants of Height - **Genetics:** The most significant factor in determining height. - **Nutrition:** Adequate nutrition is crucial for growth. - **Overall Health:** Regular exercise supports healthy growth but doesn't alter genetic potential. ### Conclusion Encourage your children to stay active and healthy, but don't expect sports to change their genetic height potential. Focus on providing a balanced diet and a supportive environment for their overall well-being. Feel free to connect and share your thoughts on this topic! #ChildDevelopment #SportsScience #ParentingMyths #HealthyGrowth

The Women’s USA Gymnastics Team is bringing home the gold thanks in no small part to Simone Biles’ focus on mental health. Faced with the “twisties”, a dangerous condition gymnasts experience in which they lose their perception of their body while in the air, Simone made the courageous decision to withdraw from several events at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Many believe the “twisties” are likely linked to mental health issues and the immense stress of elite competition. By taking action, Simone chose to prioritize her mental well-being. A choice that many in our underresourced communities cannot afford to make. Her self-care allowed her to return stronger than ever for the 2024 Paris Olympics games and her “redemption tour,” showcasing that with the right support, care, and resources, we can overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. Her story highlights the critical importance of equitable mental health resources and comprehensive care for all. Unfortunately, too many of us lack access to affordable and quality mental health services needed to recover from conditions like what Simone called the “twisties” or what many of us just call the challenges of daily life. Join our community table as we find ways to advance mental health equity. Together, we can ensure every BODY has the opportunity to take care of their mental well-being, reach their full potential, and inspire the world, just like Simone Biles. Let’s get to work. - Follow KC Health Collaborative to stay up to date on fostering health equity in Kansas City and beyond. #healthequity #kansascity #olypmics l

Outdated Gymnastics Equipment is a Public Safety Crisis—Why Are We Ignoring It? Imagine if the floors our young athletes train on came with warning labels: “WARNING: Risk of Severe Injury.” The reality is, they should. Gymnasts—especially children—are being put at risk every day by outdated, poorly tuned equipment, leading to severe injuries like Achilles ruptures, stress fractures, and chronic leg pain. And yet, despite the clear risks, these dangers are being overlooked by governing bodies and suppliers like USA Gymnastics, Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), American Athletic, Inc, and ABéO SPIETH America, who continue to endorse outdated equipment for use in gyms. This is more than just an equipment issue—it’s a public health crisis affecting the safety and well-being of young athletes. We’ve heard from parents who have noticed immediate improvements in their children’s physical health after training on our modern Weller Spring Floor. One mother told us how her 10-year-old daughter’s legs stopped hurting once the outdated floor was replaced at her gym. This isn’t just about elite athletes—it’s about every child who steps foot on a gymnastics floor. Gymnasts deserve better. It’s time to start prioritizing innovation and safety over contracts and tradition. Let’s work together to make gyms safer for all athletes, from young beginners to NCAA competitors. The risks are real. So why are we still ignoring them? ?? Learn more: bit.ly/3Xs8mTX #GymnasticsSafety #AthleteSafety #ProtectOurGymnasts #InjuryPrevention #GymnasticsInnovation #PublicHealth #GymnasticsEquipment #SaferSports #WellerSpringFloor #YouthAthletes Sarah Hirshland United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Morinari Watanabe Nellie Kim Li Li Leung

This weekend, I’m headed to the Acro for Autism Gymnastics Competition in Florida, and I keep coming back to this quote by Mother Teresa: “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” It’s been my motto for 2025 and feels especially meaningful right now. As coaches, it’s easy to feel like the changes we make in our gyms—our small efforts to create inclusive and adaptive programs—are just drops in an endless ocean. But the truth? Those drops matter. When you coach with intention, when you choose to advocate for inclusion, when you meet athletes where they are with empathy and creativity—you create ripples. Those ripples touch lives in ways you may never fully see or understand. You’re not just teaching skills. You’re showing families that their child belongs. You’re giving athletes confidence to take their next step, in the gym and in life. And when we come together as a coaching community? Those ripples turn into waves. This weekend, I’m focused on building our inclusive & adaptive gymnastics coaching community because I truly believe this: Every small change we make together can change the world for our athletes. If you’re feeling like your efforts aren’t enough, let this be your reminder—they are. You are. Every stone you cast matters. Here’s to making waves in 2025. ?? What’s one ripple you hope to create this year? Let’s inspire each other in the comments! #InclusiveCoaching #AdaptiveGymnastics #ConnectionBeforeCompliance #NeurodiversityAffirming #GymnasticsForAll