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Universi^ Micr<5nlms International O ’B r ie n , C a t h e r in e M a r y AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PROCESSES WHICH PRODUCE ELITE WOMEN GYMNASTS IN THE USSR The Ohio State University Ph.D. University iyiicrofiims Internetionel 300N.ZeebRoad.AnnAibor, m i 4S106 Copyright 1979 by O’Brien, Catherine Mary Aii Rights Reserved PLEASE NOTE: In all cases this material has been filmed in the best possible way from the available copy. Problems encountered with this document have been identified here with a check mark . 1. Glossy photographs _ 2. Colored illu stratio n s 3. Photographs with dark background _ 4. Illustrations are poor copy ____ 5. °rin t shows through as there is text on both sides of page _ 6. Indistinct, broken or small print on several pages \ / ^ 7. Tightly bound copy with print lo st in spine _______ 8. Computer printout pages with indistinct p rin t _______ 9. Page(s) lacking when material received, and not available from school or author 10, Page(s) _______ seem to be missing in numbering only as text follows 11, Poor carbon copy _______ 12, Not original copy, several pages with blurred type ________ 13, Appendix pages are poor copy ________ 14, Original copy with lig h t type ________ 15, Curling and wrinkled pages _______ 16, O ther___________________________________________ ______________ Internariona} 300 N 25== RD.. AMN ARSOR Ml J 8 1 0 6 '3131 761-4700 m INVESTIGATION OF THE PROCESSES WHICH PRODUCE ELITE WOMEN GYMNASTS IN THE USSR DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Catherine Mary O'Brien, B.S., M.S. The Ohio State University 19T9 Reading Committee; Approved by Dr. Robert B. Sutton Dr. Bruce L. Bennett Dr. James M. Sweeney A d v iser Foundations and Research College of Education ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are a multitude of people to whom I owe much gratitude for their assistance with my work. In the Soviet Union, I was quite w illingly accepted with warm hospitality and cooperation at the Lesgaft Institute in Leningrad hy the chairman of the gymnastics department, Sergei Alekperov, and the faculty of the gymnastics department, the prorektor of scientific studies, and the dean of graduate students. My advisor at the Institute, Maria Sergeinova Semyonova, was a constant source of motivation and assistance. It was she, together with my special friend and teacher, Svetlana Romanova, who endured my frequent questions and confusions with the terminology and the culture. There are also innumerable Soviet coaches who spent valuable time with me, as well as the President of the International Gymnastics Federation, Yuri T ito v , t o whom I owe many th a n k s . Dr. James Riordan of the University of Bradford, England, has inspired me throughout the study. His encouragement to persevere past the difficulties of language and procedures, and his insightful writings on Soviet sport, have generated my adamant respect and admiration. I am grateful to my friends and supporters in the United States in the sport of gymnastics: coaches and judges, and the United States Gymnastics Federation. Some of these people helped me make sense out of my gymnastic translations, most particularly, Ida Davidovich, of Cleveland, Ohio. The interest, encouragement, and constructive criticism of my i i reading committee members, Drs. Bruce Bennett and James Sweeney, gave me the incentive to strive for the best possible expression and treat ment of an original investigation. I am most appreciative also, of the assistance provided by members of the Department of Slavic Studies at The Ohio State University, particularly its chairman. Dr. Leon Twarog, and the former Assistant Director of the Slavic Center, Dr. George Demko, for their helpfulness in o b ta in in g my IREX F ello w sh ip . % advisor. Dr. Robert Sutton, has always seemed to provide the precise advice, instigation, or support when necessary throughout my entire program. Words are not adequate to express my gratitude for his concern and friendship. An additional sustaining grace has been the acceptance and unending support given by my family members during my graduate years. August 27, 19^1 . ............ Born - Syracuse, New York 1 9 6 3........................................... B.S., Physical Education, State University of New York at Cortland 1 9 6 2 -6 5 .................................... Teacher and Coach, Solvay High School, S o lv a y , New York 1965 - 66 . ...................... Graduate Assistant, Syracuse University Women’s P h y s ic a l E d u ca tio n 196 6 ........................................... M.S. in Physical Education, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 1 9 6 6 -6 9 .................................... Instructor, East Stroudsburg State College, East Stroudsburg, Pa. 1 9 6 9 -7 5.................................... Assistant Professor, Depts. of Athletics and Physical Education, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 197 6........................................... Graduate Student, Ohio State University 197 7........................................... IBEX Scholar, Lesgaft Institute, lÆningrad, USSR 1 9 7 7 -7 8.................................... Graduate Research Associate, Dept, of Educa tion. Foundations and Research, Ohio State U n iv e r s ity 1 9 7 8 -7 9.................................... Graduate Research Associate, College of Dentistry, Ohio State University PUBLICATIONS DGWS Softball Reprint S eries. Wash.D.G.t AAHPER-DGWS, co-editor. "Moscow News," International Gymnast. May, 1977. "Comments on V ilnius," International Gymnast. June, 1977. "The Soviet Gymnastics System," International Gymnast. January, 1978. "Natalie Tereschenko," International'Gymnast, October, 1978. "USSR Gymnastic Sport C lassification,". International Gymnast, forthcoming issue. Dictionary on Gymnastics Terminology, iu progress. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Comparative Education Studies in Comparative Education. Professor Robert B. Sutton. Studies in Comparative Physical Education and Sport. Professor Bruce Bennett. Studies in Russian Language. Professor David Robinson, Professor Frank Silbajoris, and staff. Soviet Studies. Professor Jan S. Adams, Professor George Demko, Professor Leon Twarog. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i i VITA iv LIST OF TABLES v i i i LIST OF FIGURES ix LIST OF TRANSLITERATION SYMBOLS x C h ap ter I . INTRODUCTION 1 Problem and Purpose of the Study 2 Scope and Procedures for the Study 5 Limitations of the Study 10 I I . HISTORY, ORGANIZATION AND PHILOSOPHY OF SOVIET SPORT AND GYMNASTICS 13 Historical and Organizational Background lU History and Organization of Gymnastics 22 Participation in the Olympics 3^ Present-Day Philosophy 37 I I I . THE SPORT SCHOOLS AND GYMNASTICS 1+3 Objectives and Organization 1+1+ Selection and Training 51 Observation of a Gymnastics Practice 61+ Coaches 68 IV . GYMNASTICS IN THE PHYSICAL CULTURE INSTITUTES 71 Organization and Entrance 72 P rogram 73 Notes from a Sample Class 66 V. REFLECTIONS AND IMPLICATIONS 93 The Gymnastic Sport School 96 Coaching 99 Physical Culture Institutes 100 Perspectives of the Athlete 102 Pulesj Judging and Scoring 104 Epilogue 110 LIST OF REFERENCES llU APPENDICES 121 A. Artistic Gymnastics: Ranking Requirements 122 B. Curriculum Credit M aterial: Physical Culture Institutes 130 C. USSR Gymnastics Regulations - Supplemental Requirements 138 D. Dictionary of Gymnastic Terminology a c co rd in g t o th e R u les o f C o m p etitio n lii-S LIST OF TABLES i Page 1. Classification and Scope of Gymnastics in the USSR 32,33 2. Scheme of Long-Term Preparation of Gymnasts of 1:8 H igh C lass 3. DYUSSh Grouping and the School Work Schedule 56 U. Lesson Planning Timetable 58, 59 5. Curriculum Sample: Children and Youth Sport School for Gymnastics 61-63 6 . S chedule o f Summer E xam in atio n S e ssio n : Correspondence Course 75, 76 7. Basic Disciplines of the Curriculum of the Sport Faculty: Physical Culture Institute 79 8. Model of Academic Class-Hours 8l 9. Sample Class Outlines 90, 91 LIST OF FIGURES Figures Page 1.

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