A GINÁSTICA ARTÍSTICA E SEU PAPEL NO DESENVOLVIMENTO, NO CRESCIMENTO E MATURAÇÃO DOS ATLETAS DE ALTO RENDIMENTO.

Abstract

This study aims to analyze, through an exploratory essay, the relationship between the practice of artistic gymnastics and the growth and maturation of high-performance athletes. Artistic gymnastics is a sport that requires a high technical, physical, and psychological level, and is often initiated at an early age, frequently before puberty. This characteristic has raised concerns regarding the possible impacts of intense and early training on the physical and biological development of practitioners. The research was conducted through a bibliographic survey in the Google Scholar database, considering publications from the last thirty years. The findings in the literature indicate that artistic gymnastics, when practiced inadequately, may be associated with delays in growth and sexual maturation, especially among female athletes. However, when guided by a multidisciplinary team and respecting biological limits, the practice can coexist with healthy development, contributing to motor, psychosocial, and physical improvement. It is concluded that the main challenge lies in balancing high-performance training with the preservation of health and the integral development of young gymnasts.