In this episode of the Games Gymnastics Podcast, host Winston welcomes Bob Allen, an experienced osteopath, as the first non-gymnastics guest. Bob shares his journey from a 20-year career in IT to becoming an osteopath, highlighting the holistic approach of osteopathy in treating muscle and joint problems. The discussion delves into the differences between osteopathy and physiotherapy, emphasizing the importance of understanding the body as a whole rather than just focusing on the site of pain. Bob introduces the concept of kinesiophobia, the fear of pain through movement, and explains how it can affect athletes, particularly gymnasts. The episode also touches on the significance of proper rehabilitation and the mental challenges athletes face when returning to their sport after an injury. Overall, it provides valuable insights into the interconnectedness of body mechanics and the psychological aspects of injury recovery in sports.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Understanding Kinesiophobia : Kinesiophobia refers to the fear of pain through movement, which can affect anyone, including athletes. This fear can lead to avoidance of certain movements, resulting in stiffness and increased susceptibility to further injuries.
2. Holistic Approach in Treatment : Osteopathy emphasizes a holistic approach, considering not just the site of pain but also the overall body mechanics, including factors like age, fitness levels, and diet. This comprehensive view helps in identifying the root cause of issues rather than just treating symptoms.
3. Importance of Proprioception : After an injury, proprioception—the body’s ability to sense its position and movement—can be impaired. Rehabilitation should focus on retraining proprioceptive feedback to restore balance and coordination, which is crucial for athletes.
4. Gradual Return to Activity : Athletes should avoid rushing back into full training after an injury. Instead, they should start with basic movements and gradually increase intensity to rebuild confidence and ensure proper healing, addressing both physical and psychological aspects of recovery.
5. Mental Blocks from Injury : Injuries can create mental barriers that affect performance. Athletes may develop a fear of re-injury, which can lead to compensatory movement patterns that reinforce imbalances. Overcoming these mental blocks is essential for a successful return to sport.

BEST MOMENTS

1. "Kinesiophobia means fear of pain through movement. It's not just common to sports people; it's common to everyone." - Bob Allen
2. "We tend to look at a whole picture and try and resolve the whole picture." - Bob Allen
3. "The brain is very good at learning new skills, so if you're doing that little imbalanced thing, your brain is actually going to treat that as a new movement pattern." - Bob Allen
4. "If you go to a GP, they think you need some physical therapy; again, they will send you to a physio 99 times out of 100." - Winston
5. "It's very rare that it's one specific thing that's causing the problem." - Bob Allen

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Host Bio:

As a member of the Senior Great Britain Squad, Winston Powell brings firsthand experience to every episode. His impressive achievements include being the Under 18 English Champion in 2023 and reaching the finals in three events at the Junior World Championships the same year: the All-Around, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar finals qualifying 7th for the All-Around. With five international appearances as a GB gymnast, he has gained invaluable insights into the sport's highest levels. His passion for gymnastics, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by elite athletes, makes him the perfect guide to exploring the strategies and stories behind gymnastics success.

In this episode of the Game of Gymnastics Podcast, Sam Mostowfi shares his extensive journey in gymnastics, spanning over 15 years within the GB program. He reflects on his remarkable junior career, including experiences at the Youth Olympic Games and Junior World Championships, and discusses the impact of COVID-19 on his competitive opportunities. Transitioning to university life, Sam emphasises the importance of education alongside athletics, detailing his decision to pursue a degree in business management while balancing rigorous training. He offers insights into the challenges of managing time and expectations as a high-performance athlete, the significance of competition experience, and the evolving landscape of gymnastics with the new code of points. As he gears up for the upcoming Olympic cycle, Sam shares his goals and strategies for success, highlighting the importance of collaboration with coaches and the value of consistent performance in a team environment.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Balancing Education and Gymnastics : The decision to pursue a university education while training as a gymnast can be challenging but rewarding. It provides valuable life experiences and skills that contribute to personal development, even if it means sacrificing some time in the gym.
2. Importance of Competition Experience : Competing regularly, such as participating in leagues, helps gymnasts maintain their performance under pressure and gain confidence. It is essential for developing the ability to perform well on competition day.
3. Individualized Training Approaches : As gymnasts mature, they gain more autonomy in their training. Collaborating with coaches to tailor training programs to individual needs is crucial for optimizing performance and addressing specific weaknesses.
4. Strategic Skill Selection : In gymnastics, it's important to weigh the risks and rewards of attempting new skills. Focusing on consistency and execution is often more beneficial than simply trying to increase difficulty without the ability to perform under pressure.
5. Team Dynamics and Contributions : In a team environment, understanding one's strengths and weaknesses is vital. Contributing reliable scores on specific apparatuses can be more valuable than attempting high-risk skills that may not yield consistent results.

BEST MOMENTS

1. "I've traveled the world, gone to new countries, met some amazing people... these are life experiences and have helped to develop me as an athlete." - Sam Mostowfi
2. "With sport, you never know, you could get injured tomorrow. So you have to be prepared for these situations." - Sam Mostowfi
3. "I think that you could wait till after your career. Gymnastics is one of those sports where you get one chance." - Sam Mostowfi
4. "It's important to have difficulty and execution... you need to perform on the day." - Sam Mostowfi
5. "You need to do what's best and make the best decision you can at that current time." - Winston Powell

MY SOCIAL LINKS

https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/ https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/

Host Bio:

As a member of the Senior Great Britain Squad, Winston Powell brings firsthand experience to every episode. His impressive achievements include being the Under 18 English Champion in 2023 and reaching the finals in three events at the Junior World Championships the same year: the All-Around, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar finals qualifying 7th for the All-Around. With five international appearances as a GB gymnast, he has gained invaluable insights into the sport's highest levels. His passion for gymnastics, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by elite athletes, makes him the perfect guide to exploring the strategies and stories behind gymnastics success.

In this episode of the Game of Gymnastics Podcast, Caleb Drotsky shares his extensive gymnastics journey, having trained in various countries including New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and now Great Britain. He discusses the differences in training styles across these regions, highlighting the structured approach in New Zealand and Australia compared to the more individualised training seen in Japan.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Diverse Training Experiences: Caleb Drotsky has trained in various countries, including New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Great Britain, each offering different training styles and structures. For instance, training in Japan was more individualised compared to the structured programs in Australia and New Zealand.
• Importance of Consistency: Caleb emphasises the significance of consistency in routines and skills, particularly as he prepares for competitions. He believes that having a solid routine with manageable difficulty is crucial for success, especially when competing at a high level.
• Focus on Skill Development: He discusses specific skills he aims to incorporate into his routines, such as a front double pike on floor and various pommel horse elements. This highlights the importance of skill progression and the need to adapt routines to meet competitive standards.
• Long-Term Goals: Caleb has set ambitious long-term goals, including competing in the 2026 Commonwealth Games and aiming for the 2028 and 2032 Olympic Games. He recognizes the need for upgrades in difficulty and the importance of being a reliable competitor to achieve these goals.

BEST MOMENTS
Caleb Drotsky: "From what I've seen, training here is quite similar to what I saw in Japan, which is entirely different to Australia and New Zealand, where it's a lot more structured."

Caleb Drotsky: "In Japan, the juniors would come in and do really anything, and it would differ every single day. I never saw them do the same thing twice."

Caleb Drotsky: "I think at the club we went to, Konami, you have to be quite an intrinsically motivated gymnast to be able to train there."

MY SOCIAL LINKS

https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/

Host Bio:

As a member of the Senior Great Britain Squad, Winston Powell brings firsthand experience to every episode. His impressive achievements include being the Under 18 English Champion in 2023 and reaching the finals in three events at the Junior World Championships the same year: the All-Around, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar finals qualifying 7th for the All-Around. With five international appearances as a GB gymnast, he has gained invaluable insights into the sport's highest levels. His passion for gymnastics, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by elite athletes, makes him the perfect guide to exploring the strategies and stories behind gymnastics success.