A Wednesday in the summer holidays. While the sun shines outside, the gym at the Schiller School in Esslingen-Berkheim is all about gymnastics. In the place where the Bundesliga gymnasts from TSV Berkheim normally train with the utmost precision on uneven bars, high bar and the like, loud music can be heard from a portable loudspeaker. A group of six children dance exuberantly in the centre of the hall – Ute Billerbeck, a long-time trainer at the club, demonstrates various warm-up exercises. "Come on, put your arms up and give your legs a good lift", she calls out to the children, who eagerly join in. They run in place, their hands swinging over their heads. The pulse rises and the tension is palpable. A very special training session is about to begin for the kids. The next 60 minutes are not about top gymnastics performances, but about the question of how gymnastics can be helpful in road traffic.
Body awareness and balance are more important than you think
"Gymnastics and road traffic – how do they go together?" Renate Weber asks the children after the warm-up. Renate, who has worked as a gymnastics coach for more than 50 years, has long been a fixture at TSV Berkheim. With a friendly smile, she explains to the attentive youngsters that many of the skills they will be practising in today's training session are not only useful in the gym. "It's all about coordination, balance and quick reactions. You also need all of this when you're on the road on foot or riding a bike". The children seem to understand this – the connection between sport and everyday life becomes tangible.
Renate and Ute set up a total of six stations with different requirements. As the children go from exercise to exercise, it becomes clear that the playful approach of the training makes them forget that they are also learning important skills for road traffic. Sophie Spohn, a 17-year-old gymnast from Berkheim's Bundesliga squad, helps them with it. "You always have to keep an eye on what's going on around you", she explains at the so-called "balance bridge", a see-saw consisting of two benches. "Keeping your balance doesn't just help here on the benches. It is also important that you stand securely and can react quickly when cycling or walking on the pavement." The children's first steps are still hesitant, but little by little they gain confidence. "Super! Try walking even slower so you can feel your balance better", Renate encourages nine-year-old Tom.
Reaction speed – the key to safety
At the "wobbly path" station, the children balance on wobbly wooden blocks while they have to bounce a ball into a ring. "It's like in traffic – you have to keep an eye on several things at the same time", explains Ute, watching the children as they try to keep their balance and control the ball at the same time. "When you cross the road, you have to pay attention to the traffic on the one hand and the pedestrian lights or zebra crossing on the other". Here the children learn how important it is to process several stimuli at the same time and still remain in control.
"What's the point of reacting quickly but not paying attention?", asks Renate at the "reaction ring". In this exercise, the children have to catch a falling baton before it touches the ground. "It's like being on the road – it only helps to react quickly if you have observed your surroundings well beforehand", she explains. Six-year-old Ronja grabs the baton at the last moment and beams. "Sometimes you have to make sudden decisions in road traffic – you need to act quickly", adds Sophie, who links the exercise to real everyday situations.
Full throttle through the course
Concentration and courage are required on the parallel bars. Here the children balance on sagging ropes that are attached between the bars. Renate helps the children while she explains: "Imagine you have to walk through a building site or over cobblestones. Here you learn how to move around safely, even if the ground beneath you is shaky". Simon, who is still hesitant at first, asks: "And what if I fall off?" "Then just try again", Renate replies with a laugh and gives him an encouraging pat on the shoulder. Balancing becomes easier with every attempt, and soon the children even dare to take small steps on the ropes. "It feels like you're floating!" exclaims Malea enthusiastically, while Sophie gives the youngest gymnast, aged five, a high-five. "Great job!"
The slalom course, which has also been set up, is where things really get intense. The children get on a balance bike or bobby car and ride around a course that is set out in a confined space. "Well, which one of you will manage to overtake me?", asks Ute with a smile and joins the race herself. The children cheer each other on. "That was really close!", Helena, who was slightly faster than her coach, shouts proudly. The competitive nature motivates the children – it's not just speed that counts here, but also skill. Exactly what they need to be safe and flexible on the road.
An unforgettable finale with Moki and Korni
A real highlight awaits the children at the end of the training programme. When Moki and Korni, the fluffy mascots of MobileKids and TSV Berkheim, enter the hall, there is no longer any doubt: The day was a complete success. The children cheer with joy as the two mascots enter the hall. "Look, Moki, I'll show you how to walk over the wobbly blocks", calls Mila and proudly demonstrates the exercise. The children's enthusiasm is almost unstoppable. And it gets even better: Shortly before the little gymnasts leave the hall, they are given presents. Each of the children receives a colourful Moki booklet and a reflective lanyard from Moki. With a big grin on their faces and the feeling that they have learnt something important, the children make for home.
At the end of the afternoon, one thing is clear: Gymnastics not only teaches body control and dexterity, but also skills that are crucial in road traffic. "It was great to see how well the children understood the connection between gymnastics and road safety", Renate summarises with satisfaction. "If they apply what they have learnt here outside, they are well on the way to becoming safe road users."