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Growth and Development in Gymnastics

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Gymnastics Medicine

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Abstract

A combination of long training hours and a bias toward a prepubescent physique in gymnasts often equates to insufficient caloric intake and an increased incidence of delayed pubertal growth and development. This chapter examines normal pubertal development, explores the normal and pathologic divergences from this path experienced by many gymnasts, and outlines nutritional requirements to sustain healthy growth and development for a gymnast. This chapter also discusses energy needs, macronutrient requirements, vitamin essentials, and consequences of insufficient intake.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    Lauren Klein Ritchie

  2. Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA

    Lauren Klein Ritchie

  3. Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA

    Natalie Ronshaugen

  4. University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA

    Natalie Ronshaugen

  5. Cleveland Clinic Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Jennifer Sygo

  6. Gymnastics Canada – Women’s Artistic Program, Gloucester, ON, Canada

    Jennifer Sygo

Authors
  1. Lauren Klein Ritchie
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  2. Natalie Ronshaugen
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  3. Jennifer Sygo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lauren Klein Ritchie .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital Colorado Sports Medicine Center, Aurora, CO, USA

    Emily Sweeney

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Ritchie, L.K., Ronshaugen, N., Sygo, J. (2020). Growth and Development in Gymnastics. In: Sweeney, E. (eds) Gymnastics Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26288-4_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26288-4_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-26287-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-26288-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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