When 'Good Enough' Really Isn't Good Enough

One of the decisions I've had to make in building a gymnastics school from scratch is how far to go in equipping the gym in the best and safest way possible. Some might think that carpet-bonded foam or mats placed over the floor to cushion a vault runway is 'good enough' to keep athletes safe, but is it? When a gymnast sprints down that 78-foot runway to complete a vault, there are no cushioned shoes to absorb the impact. The body, especially the knee and ankle joints, absorbs it all. Constant repetitions on the runway mats, even on very good mats can cause knee joint problems and shin splints, especially in those last driving steps as the gymnast approaches the spring board. Take the case of Annia Hatch and several other gymnasts who were injured during the 2002 World Championships. Hatch was practicing the vault, her best event, when she tore her left ACL the day prior to the competition. Then, Courtney Kupets, the U.S. all-around champion, tore her achilles before the team finals. What was the culprit? Runway mats placed over a hard floor looked 'good enough' but in reality it wasn't good enough to prevent injuries. The solution is to install a raised, flexible vault runway system that will help absorb the shock of constant repetitions. It will also be one of the first things in the new gym! If it saves an injury to just one child, it is more than 'good enough!'