The Consortium
Who's involved
The consortium aims to always include all four voices — research, clinical practice, coaching, and the gymnasts themselves — with equal standing.
Researchers
4–6 membersTendon and lower-limb injury, youth athlete development, epidemiology, consensus methodology. Spread across countries — EU representation matters for the funding route.
Clinicians
2–3 membersSports medicine physicians and physiotherapists who treat gymnasts — the people who see what the training system produces.
Coaches
2–3 membersIncluding at least one currently coaching at club level, not only national-team level. Coaches author the practicality sections: what can actually be absorbed and applied on the floor.
Gymnasts
2–3 membersCurrent or former gymnasts, as full members with equal standing — not consultees. The athletes lived the system the group is trying to change.
Founding members
| Name | Role / perspective | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Sarah Vizel | Convener · physical therapist · former competitive gymnast | — |
| Recruiting now | Scientific Co-chair — leads the scientific agenda and the consensus process | — |
| Open seats | 8–15 founding members across the four voices, listed here as they join | — |
Members serve in a personal capacity; affiliations are listed for identification, not endorsement. If you're reading this, you've likely been invited to take one of these seats.
What founding members are asked to commit
- Roughly four meetings over the first year, mostly remote (90 minutes each).
- Co-authoring one consensus statement on mandatory coach injury-prevention education, with authorship agreed in writing before drafting starts (ICMJE criteria).
- Expenses covered; membership is unpaid at founding, with honoraria set openly by the group if and when funds arrive.
- Nothing beyond the stated commitment without a new, explicit agreement — see the charter.
Members may describe themselves as "Founding Member" of the consortium in professional materials, and contributions are credited by name.