The challenges faced by the sport of gymnastics due to the increasing difficulty of performances, which stems from intense training at younger ages, forces the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to think about the implementation of a long-term strategy to maintain the sustainability of our sport.
This trend has led to scrutiny and criticism from medical, educational, and media professionals who perceive such practices as abusive and excessive. The FIG acknowledges these concerns and is actively working to address them through rule changes and coach education initiatives aimed at improving effectiveness while safeguarding gymnasts' well-being.
The FIG Academy Programme was stablished in 2002 for all NF member's coaches covering all the FIG disciplines (Gymnastics for All, Men's Artistic, Women's Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline, Aerobic, Acrobatic and Parkour). The underlying philosophy emerged from a comprehensive world-wide review and analysis of the sport science literature related to the growth and development characteristics of a child as it progresses from birth to adulthood and how that knowledge should have implications for training.
Based in a “athlete-centered” philosophy led to decision about what should be included in a coach education programme to assure the safe and systematic training of gymnasts in all disciplines towards high performance. With this, the Academy Programme has the goal to provide a standardised competency-based coach education system for the development of gymnastics worldwide, based upon principles of sport science, health, current training best practice, and current ethical and safeguarding standards. If coaches follow the information and processes provided through the FIG Academy Programme, they will not be making any large errors in the development of their gymnasts.
The programme includes a "Foundations of Gymnastics" course developed cooperatively with the Gymnastics for All Committee and for the seven FIG competitive disciplines' three levels of coaches' education. The courses are delivered in hybrid format (theory lectures online and practical sessions in person). Supplementary material (Manual) is provided for each course. Click here to access the FIG E-learning Platform
All theory lectures and examination must be accomplished by on eLearning platform. All participants that achieve 80% or more in the theory exam are able to attend the face-to-face practical sessions. The FIG provides the examination results to each coach's federation to be used as the federation deems appropriate. For more details, Click here to access to the FIG Academy Policies
A FIG affiliate member federation may apply to organize an Academy according to the level of technical competence of its coaches or may register a coach in an Academy organised in another country.
The FIG Academy Programme is integrated with the FIG Age Group Programme (LINK AGP), seeking for robust educational development. Click here to access the Overview of the FIG Coach Education System.
Coaches participating in FIG Academy Level 3 courses can apply for the FIG Academy Brevet. Please see the requirements set out in the Academy Policies.
The systematic approach to the development of gymnasts' performance in the long term opposes an early specialization or a concentration only on elements of high difficulty, as this can lead to aesthetic and injury-related problems, which ends up taking the public away from the sport. Instead, the focus should be on gradually increasing the loads to develop lasting support and capabilities of the motor system.
The key points highlighted for effective performance development include:
Systematic increase in load: Gradually increase loads to develop long-term support and motor system capabilities, rather than focusing only on immediate results.
Preliminary Development: Focus on the development of flexibility, power and basic structures to mitigate the negative effects of repetitive movements and defective techniques.
Promotion of polyvalent gymnasts: Encourage the development of polyvalent gymnasts to ensure a balance in the distribution of the load between the different elements.
Use of favourable motor learning phases: Take advantage of optimal motor learning periods for effective acquisition of skills.
Collaborative Approach: Coordinate the efforts of gymnasts, coaches, doctors and physiotherapists to ensure responsible training practices.
Balanced training and competition: Maintain a safe and proportional balance between the training, competition and recovery phases.
Methodical use of equipment:Use methodical equipment and pay attention to the construction of the training room to facilitate effective training practices.
The philosophy of gymnastics emphasizes beauty, complexity and safety, the importance of education centers in relation to competition halls, and the role of training facilities in promoting the development of athletes.
FIG Safeguarding Programme here
FIG Code of Ethics here