Effects of “Soviet” and Western Coaching Methodologies on the Acquisition of Gymnastic Skills

Abstract

18 young female gymnasts were randomly allocated to three treatment conditions. One group was exposed to a training regimen typical of that used by Soviet coaches, a second group was trained using a method characteristically encountered in the UK and a control group attended recreational gymnastics classes. Performance on the “core” skills of handstand, round-off, basic-swing, and chin-circle was recorded after 5 and 10 wk. Results demonstrated the overwhelming pre-eminence of the “Soviet” approach.