Gymnastics is an energising and challenging sport that places enormous strains on the body. However, the massive amount of physical training gymnasts go through sees a high level of injury. There are several common injuries that range from minor to intense. However, overuse injuries are considerably more typical and more so in children and adolescents during development spurts. Gymnasts achieve magnificent flexibility, core control, all-body strength, and extraordinary abilities.
Injuries in Gymnastics:
In the case of female and males their physical injuries differ as follows.
- Female gymnasts’ more commonly influenced areas are the lower back and legs as they strain them.
- Male gymnasts place considerably more weight on the upper area, so it is more influenced.
- Male gymnasts, specifically, endure a condition known as ‘Pommel arm,’ which is irritated by grasping exercises like rings and high bar, and parallel bars. Pummel arm is, in fact, epicondylitis, which is frequently alluded to as ‘Golfers’ Elbow.’
The most common types of gymnastic injuries are:
- Ligament tears.
- Wrist sprains.
- Elbow dislocation.
- Concussions.
- Neck fracture.
- Muscle strains.
- Ankle sprain.
- Anterior cruciate ligament rupture (ACL)
- Achilles tendinopathy.
- It inflamed growth plates.
- Traction apophysitis; Osgood Schlatter’s disease. Sinding Larsen Johansson syndrome and Sever’s disease.
Categories of gymnastic injuries include the following:
Traumatic Injury:
It is the collision with the ground or pole during everyday practice. It can be anything from bruising to bone breakage
Overuse Injury:
Overtraining muscles and body parts, prompting absence of recovery, and adding to exhaustion and weakness, can cause an overuse injury.
Overstrain Injury:
The injury is caused by pushing the joints past the typical scope of movements causing muscles and tendons tears. Pulled muscles, strains, and injuries are, for the most part, very normal.
Gymnastics and Physiotherapy:
The primary treatment for gymnasts is to guarantee they have exceptional physical training to manage the enormous strains set on the body. The treatment plan includes explicit back rub strategies, including ‘myofascial release’ that activates the interweaving connecting mesh of tissue which runs through the body. Moreover, it acts as a balancing structure for the entire body. Explicit mobilisation and massages can likewise give sensational and fast help to some spinal conditions.
Custom Made Plan by the Physiotherapist:
When an injury has happened, your physiotherapists will help decide if you must alter the current training load. Sometimes, people will encounter minor, however relentless low back torment. It’s significant that the guardians and mentors know that these indications can frequently be dealt with, decreasing the danger of future complications.
When ankle sprains happen, rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE) must be executed. From wrist to knee injuries, physiotherapists can help address a broad scope of symptoms. Physiotherapy acts as a preventive measure and our evaluations for gymnasts can help them better comprehend their present state.
Gymnastics requires both power and balance of the physical body. The moves included can be incredibly unpredictable and complex. They frequently need the gymnasts to immediately utilise most of their body parts and specifically put joints under enormous strain. While injuries are regular in any sport, they are seen a great deal in relation to acrobatics. Our Reach physiotherapists can assist with injury recovery and prevention and when administered correctly, can have lifelong benefits.
References:
Casey, L. (2018, August 08). Most common gymnastic injuries. Retrieved April 10, 2021, from https://www.thephysiocompany.com/blog/2018/8/8/most-common-gymnastic-injuries
Gymnastic injuries. (2020, December 23). Retrieved April 10, 2021, from https://physioworks.com.au/sports-physio/gymnastic-injuries/
Gymnastics injury Physiotherapy TREATMENT MANCHESTER. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2021, from https://www.metrophysio.co.uk/sports-performance/gymnastics/
Physiotherapy for GYMNASTICS; the most common injuries. (2019, July 29). Retrieved April 10, 2021, from https://ballsbridgephysio.ie/news/physiotherapy-for-gymnasts/
Wescombe, S. (2019, June 16). The importance of physio when treating youth gymnastic injuries. Retrieved April 10, 2021, from https://bestbody.com.au/importance-physio-treating-youth-gymnastic-injuries/
* Contact Reach Physiotherapy for a list of references used for this blog content.
