Greenwich lecturer's book can serve as blueprint for next generation gymnastics

Mar 18 2011

A University of Greenwich lecturer's book could be the blueprint to produce a generation of super gymnasts. 

Dr Monèm Jemni, Principal Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Science at the university's School of Science, based at the Medway Campus, is a world authority in the physiology of gymnastics.

He says: 'The Science of Gymnastics will help coaches develop power, strength, flexibility, technical models and learn more about psychological preparation of their gymnasts. It will help produce better gymnasts who can hopefully compete for longer careers.

'The International Gymnastic Federation president Bruno Grandi has written the foreword to the book. The federation doesn't currently have a coaching textbook for trainees to work with, so I'm hopeful they will adopt mine.'

This is the first book to look at the effects of combining physiology, psychology and biomechanics on gymnastic performance. The only other book to touch on the subject was written 35 years ago by John Salmela, who has contributed to The Science of Gymnastics.

'Science has changed gymnastics greatly in terms of equipment and training,' adds Monèm. 'The sport is unrecognisable since John's book, The Advanced Study of Gymnastics, was published in 1976.'

Monèm was a gymnast, competing internationally until he retired at age 23. 'That's a normal age to retire,' he says. 'There's only one person who keeps going, Jordan Jovtchev of Bulgaria. We call him "the animal of the rings". He's 43 and has competed in the last five Olympics.

'We're good friends and I expect him to be at London 2012 to make it six. From a scientific point of view it's so difficult to be at that level for so long. There are six events in men's gymnastics and each requires different physiological, biomechanical and psychological preparation. Jordan is a master of four.'

After retiring, Monèm moved into coaching. Benoit Carbone, a former gymnast of Monèm's, won bronze in the all round (six events) at the Beijing Olympics. 'I was in tears because I couldn't be there but I was watching on TV,' says Monèm.

After studying sports science at university in Tunisia, Monèm undertook post-graduate studies in Paris, completing a Masters then a PhD in sport science, concentrating on physiology and energetics in gymnastics while working with the French men's team.

Monèm believes the London Olympic Games will help build gymnastics' profile in this country. 'It's not the biggest sport in the UK,' he says. 'But the success of people like Louis Smith, who won bronze in Beijing; Beth Tweddle, who is a three-time world champion; and Daniel Keating has helped. I think the London Games will make the sport more visible.'