A BENDIGO gymnastics instructor has backed calls for the sport to become an integral part of the physical education curriculum in primary schools.
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Researchers at Victoria University are leading the push after a three-year study on the development of fundamental movement skills.
Emma Carmody, head coach and early childhood program manager at Palmer's Gym, said it was an amazing idea.
She said the gym already ran a schools-based program, but not all Bendigo and district schools included gymnastics as a compulsory sport.
"We have about 23 local and surrounding schools that are involved in the program - that's primary and secondary schools," Carmody said.
"Some of the kinders are involved too.
"I think all schools should get the chance to do gymnastics, it offers so many benefits."
The study assessed more than 800 children to gain an understanding of how fundamental movement skills can be improved.
Lead researcher James Rudd said the development of confident and competent movers was the most important outcome for physical education and gymnastics helped facilitate that.
“Previous research has shown that children who master fundamental movements skills (FMS) in primary school possess higher levels of cardiovascular fitness later in life than children who do not,” Rudd said.
“Children who master FMS are more physically active and have reduced obesity risk.
"There are also positive associations between FMS and a child’s social skills, self-esteem and academic performance - so it is important for overall wellbeing and development."
Rudd said the study showed a gymnastics-based physical education curriculum has an accelerated effect on movement competence in comparison to a standard school PE curriculum.
Gymnastics is considered a growth sport in Bendigo.
Carmody said Palmer's Gym had about 400 members and was now offering Tumble Tots for children aged to five years in Bendigo and Echuca.
She said the sport offered numerous benefits, among them balance and co-ordination, flexibility, body awareness, discipline and improved mental focus and concentration, as well as obvious health benefits.
"So many of our athletes don't just come to the gym to do gymnastics," Carmody said.
"Some come to help with their dancing. We also have a lot of kids on the (autism) spectrum for whom it's beneficial.
"We even have some snow skiers and aerial skiers too."
The push has also won backing from the sports governing body, Gymnastics Australia.
“Gymnastics has a rich history in Australian physical education dating back as far as 1870, but in the past 20 years or so we perceive that it has dropped off the radar in PE programming,” chief executive Mark Rendell said
“One of the reasons is that primary classroom teachers are often responsible for teaching physical education and many do not have the confidence to teach gymnastics."