Benefits Of Rhythmic Gymnastics For Children
Rhythmic gymnastics is a sporting activity that combines dance and ballet movements, also adding acrobatics and the use of instruments such as ribbons, balls and hoops. Although many doubt about its suitability during childhood, the benefits of rhythmic gymnastics for children are many.
Although perhaps not one of the favorite options when choosing a sport for children, rhythmic gymnastics should be among the possibilities offered.
In general, it is recommended that children are older than 6 years of age to enroll in this discipline. If they do it before, they will hardly be able to carry out the basic actions required by this sport. At that time, in addition, they begin to develop their spatial orientation and already have a more complete control of their body.
It is also an activity suitable for boys and girls, although a large percentage of its practitioners around the world are women. It can be performed individually or collectively, either in duets, trios, quartets or quintets.
Benefits of rhythmic gymnastics for children
Rhythmic gymnastics is a demanding activity, which presents the following advantages for the little ones who practice it:
1. Improves fitness and flexibility
If you have seen the movements that are executed in rhythmic gymnastics routines, you surely understand what we mean. It is a discipline that requires difficult movements, which test children’s elasticity ; In addition, they prevent it from decreasing over the years.
Also, the stability it demands makes the muscles stronger. It also promotes the burning of calories and, like all exercise, promotes metabolism, appetite and rest.
2. Connects children with their body and their environment
In addition to the physical requirements, rhythmic gymnastics places a lot of emphasis on aesthetics. This makes the little ones perfectly aware of the movements they carry out, in addition to being perfectly located in time and space.
With this, in addition, bad postures can be corrected and, as a consequence, avoid injuries. Balance also benefits from the practice of this sport.
3. Exercise concentration
The benefits of rhythmic gymnastics are not just physical. Being a sport that demands to follow a certain planning in advance, the child cannot neglect what he is doing. As a consequence of this same fact, memory and attention are also worked on. Without a doubt, it is an exercise that puts the whole body to work in its entirety.
4. Stimulates coordination
Another element present in rhythmic gymnastics is music. Therefore, in addition to sharpening the sense of hearing, the child will find himself in a situation that will require him to coordinate his movements with the sound he hears.
5. It will improve your quality of life
The sum of the benefits of rhythmic gymnastics for children that we described above will translate into a better mood for them. Beyond being active, practicing this discipline will help them develop their proprioception, their self-esteem and their confidence.
They will also begin to interact with classmates and teachers. In this way, you will learn the value of teamwork, mutual support and group fun.
Voices against rhythmic gymnastics
Beyond the benefits of rhythmic gymnastics for children, it is necessary that we also consider the arguments of those who oppose this activity. Although the general recommendation is to start after 4 years, many say that you are still very young.
The main debate has to do with the demands of this sport for children so young. This includes both physical demands, with complicated and sometimes risky movements; and also the mental ones: remember that children have to memorize and synchronize complex steps.
It has also been linked to physical problems, such as delayed menarche. Studies carried out on elite athletes in past decades have confirmed these effects of rhythmic gymnastics, which are added to the possible injuries that all sports entail.
In addition, competing and submitting to a jury’s evaluation – sometimes too rigorous – can be hard on them. Much more, of course, if the rating is not what you want.
However, everything will depend on the level of demand that is exerted on the boys and girls who do this sport. As in any other physical activity in childhood, the playful aspect and the emphasis on the correct development of the child’s abilities should prevail.
