Older athletes (older like in the mid-late 20s or even 30s) will be stronger, faster, more disciplined, more experienced, than their 14-16 year equivalents. Is it just flexibility? There are circus contortionists and yoga enthusiasts that are incredibly flexible into their 30s or later.
I can’t think of any trait unique to gymnastics that other sports don’t also require to explain why gymnasts are so dang young, particularly the women’s. Men’s gymnastics seems to have a much older average age.
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This is a favorite topic for me! Pre puberty women are on average stronger and have better upper body strength. Once puberty happens the hormones change center of gravity and the way we build muscle. Young girls were both flexible and strong in a very specific way. Then they raised the minimum age for the Olympics. Initially it was seen as bad because women “peeked” at like 14-16. Except that was all wrong. When women had to stay healthy until 18, it changed training. Simone biles would have been burned to the ground and never reached her full potential if she could have been an Olympian at 14. Forcing women to train longer and stay healthy longer changed the sport and unlocked a lot of skill only physically and mentally mature adults can access. I’m also psyched about the new figure skating age minimum, I think we may see our first figure skating biles who totally changes the game in the next 5-10 years.
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