Ankle sprains, strains, and fractures are common in gymnastics.
Gymnastics requires the use of one’s entire body for aerial and acrobatic movements. This Olympic sport requires balance, strength, flexibility, coordination, agility, endurance, and control, and is governed locally by Gymnastics BC. Routines include the use of equipment such as vaults, balance beams, and trampolines. Common injuries are strains, sprains, fractures, dislocations, abrasions, contusions, lacerations, and concussions.
(see Section 04 - Prevention)
Ankle sprains, strains, and fractures are common in gymnastics.
Injuries to the lower leg are common in gymnastics.
Injuries to the back are common in gymnastics.
Shoulder injuries are common injuries in gymnastics.
While not common, head injuries can occur during gymnastics and can include sustaining a concussion.
The most common injury sites in collegiate gymnasts include the ankle, lower leg, shoulder, Achilles tendon, trunk and foot. The head, neck, ankle, knee, back, spine, and elbow are common injury sites in younger gymnasts. One of the most prevalent chronic issues experienced by gymnasts is lower back pain.
Most injuries in gymnastics occur on an apparatus or during a dismount, followed by floor exercises and the uneven bars. Athletes spend approximately 14% to 20% of their training year practicing at non-optimal levels due to injury.
It is estimated that...
Risk factors for injury in gymnastics include sex, age, previous history of injury, supervision, competing before complete recovery after injury, technique, the number of hours spent training, skill-level, and environmental factors such as landing surfaces.
As gymnastic events vary in equipment use and technique, more information is needed about the specific risk factors associated with each event and the populations that are at higher risk of injury.
Children may be more likely to continue practicing or competing with an injury as compared to older gymnasts.
The environment used by gymnasts in competition compared to practice can be risk factors for injury. During competition, gymnasts may be performing with unfamiliar equipment, on surfaces with thinner mats, and without a spotter present. Increased stress during competitions may also lead to a greater number of landing-related injuries.
As with most sports, too much training can increase the risk of injury.
Continued competition when injured is a risk factor for injury and re-injury. This can lead to gymnasts suffering more severe injuries.
Having a previous injury increases the risk of re-injury.
Poor technique can lead to a greater chance of injury in gymnastics.
Training and regular practice are expected of athletes, but how much is too much? Your risk of injury can increase if you train too much or improperly. Learn more about how to find your training load “sweet spot.”
Some muscle soreness or joint pain is expected when increasing your level of physical activity. It is important to listen to your body for persistent or worsening pain, and to know when to rest. Learn more about how to prevent injuries in gymnastics.
Talk to your coach or organization about the prevention strategies below and how they might be incorporated into training and policies.
Learn proper form and technique to reduce your risk of injury. Proper technique can decrease the potential for imbalances that can lead to chronic issues. Always practice in the presence of a spotter.
The risk of all lower body injuries may be reduced by up to 50% by regular participation in a balance training exercise program with a resistance training component, such as a Neuromuscular Training warm-up program. Completing this warm-up program can lower the likelihood of ankle and knee injuries.
Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre has developed a neuromuscular training warm-up program that can be adapted to many sports. Incorporating a warm-up program like this one into your training program at least two times per week has been associated with a significant reduction in lower body injuries.
Click here to view poster.
Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
Adopt strength training exercises designed to prevent injuries to the shoulder and back. The Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre has developed specific exercises in video and PDF form to help prevent back and shoulder injuries.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent shoulder injuries.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent back injuries.
For more exercises, visit http://fittoplay.org/.
Get Set Neuromuscular Training
The Get Set app contains exercises that can be done at home. Created by the Oslo Sports Trauma Center, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, and Making Waves AS in 2014 for the International Olympic Committee, the app allows you to search by body part to view exercises that work to strengthen each area of the body, or search by sport to view a library of exercises that are specific to both artistic and rhythmic gymnastics.
Download Get Set for Android.
Download Get Set for iOS.
While concussions are not the most common injury in gymnastics, it is important to be aware of concussion signs and symptoms and know what to do if concussion is suspected. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) is an online resource for participants and parents to learn more about how to recognize, prevent, and manage a concussion. CATT also includes resources on how to respond to a potential concussion situation, as well as detailed Return to School and Return to Sport protocol.
Sleep, Vigilance and Sport Injury Prevention
Being successful in physical activity requires a high degree of alertness, also known as vigilance. Sufficient sleep helps your body to recover, allows you to achieve your goals, and reduces your risk of injury. Getting less than 8 hours of sleep can increase your rate of injury by up to 70%! Watch this video to learn more about how sleep and vigilance are connected.
Sport-related Physicals
Gymnastics is a physically demanding sport and some pre-existing conditions may increase the risk of injury. An annual sport-related physical evaluation ensuring fitness to participate can help to reduce risk of injury. KidsHealth provides information about what sports physicals are, why they may be appropriate and where you may go to get them.
Learn more about Kids Health Sports Physicals.
Talk to your organization or school about the prevention strategies below and how they might be incorporated into training and policies.
All equipment should be regularly inspected and up to safety standards, such as sufficient padding on floors, walls, and landing surfaces.
Coaching on proper form and technique can reduce the risk of injury in gymnasts. Proper technique can decrease the potential for imbalances that can lead to chronic issues. Gymnasts should practice in the presence of a spotter.
The risk of all lower body injuries may be reduced by up to 50% by regular participation in a balance training exercise program with a resistance training component, such as a neuromuscular training warm-up program. Completing this warm-up program can lower the likelihood of ankle and knee injuries.
Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre has developed a neuromuscular training warm-up program that can be adapted to many sports. Incorporating a warm-up program like this one into your training program at least two times per week has been associated with a significant reduction in lower body injuries.
Click here to view poster.
Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
Encourage your gymnasts to adopt strength training exercises designed to prevent injuries to the shoulder and back. The Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre has developed specific exercises in video and PDF form to help prevent back and shoulder injuries.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent shoulder injuries.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent back injuries.
For more exercises, visit http://fittoplay.org/.
Get Set Neuromuscular Training
The Get Set app contains exercises that gymnasts can complete at home. Created by the Oslo Sports Trauma Center, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, and Making Waves AS in 2014 for the International Olympic Committee, the app allows you to search by body part to view exercises that work to strengthen each area of the body, or search by sport to view a library of exercises that are specific to both artistic and rhythmic gymnastics.
Download Get Set for Android.
Download Get Set for iOS.
While concussions are not the most common injury in gymnastics, it is important to be aware of concussion signs and symptoms and know what to do if concussion is suspected. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) is an online resource for coaches and teachers to learn more about how to recognize, prevent, and manage a concussion. CATT also includes resources on how to respond to a potential concussion situation, as well as detailed Return to School and Return to Sport protocol.
Facilities
The Ontario Physical Education Association (OPHEA) provides recommendations for safely implementing gymnastics in elementary schools.
Learn more about implementing gymnastics in elementary schools.
Sport-related Physicals
Gymnastics is a physically demanding sport and some pre-existing conditions may increase the risk of injury. An annual sport-related physical evaluation ensuring fitness to participate can help to reduce risk of injury. KidsHealth provides information about what sports physicals are, why they may be appropriate and where you may go to get them.
Learn more about Kids Health Sports Physicals.
Talk to your coaches, teachers, organization, or school about the prevention strategies below and how they might be incorporated into training and policies.
All equipment should be regularly inspected and up to safety standards, such as sufficient padding on floors, walls, and landing surfaces.
Coaching on proper form and technique can reduce the risk of injury in gymnasts. Proper technique can decrease the potential for imbalances that can lead to chronic issues. Gymnasts should practice in the presence of a spotter.
While concussions are not the most common injury in gymnastics, it is important to be aware of concussion signs and symptoms and know what to do if concussion is suspected. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) is an online resource to learn more about how to recognize, prevent, and manage a concussion. CATT also includes resources on how to respond to a potential concussion situation, as well as detailed Return to School and Return to Sport protocol.
The risk of all lower body injuries may be reduced by up to 50% by regular participation in a balance training exercise program with a resistance training component, such as a neuromuscular training warm-up program. Completing this warm-up program can lower the likelihood of ankle and knee injuries.
Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre has developed a neuromuscular training warm-up program that can be adapted to many sports. Encouraging coaches to incorporate a warm-up program like this one into your training program at least two times per week has been associated with a significant reduction in lower body injuries.
Click here to view poster.
Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
Encourage your gymnasts to adopt strength training exercises designed to prevent injuries to the shoulder and back. The Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre has developed specific exercises in video and PDF form to help prevent back and shoulder injuries.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent shoulder injuries.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent back injuries.
For more exercises, visit http://fittoplay.org/.
Get Set Neuromuscular Training
The Get Set app contains exercises that can be done at home. Created by the Oslo Sports Trauma Centre, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, and Making Waves AS in 2014 for the International Olympic Committee, the app allows you to search by body part to view exercises that work to strengthen each area of the body, or search by sport to view a library of exercises that are specific to gymnastics.
Download Get Set for Android.
Download Get Set for iOS.
Facilities
The Ontario Physical Education Association (OPHEA) provides recommendations for safely implementing gymnastics in elementary schools.
Learn more about implementing gymnastics in elementary schools.
Sport-related Physicals
Gymnastics is a physically demanding sport and some pre-existing conditions may increase the risk of injury. An annual sport-related physical evaluation ensuring fitness to participate can help to reduce risk of injury. KidsHealth provides information about what sports physicals are, why they may be appropriate and where you may go to get them.
Learn more about Kids Health Sports Physicals.
The role of health professionals in preventing gymnastics injuries has two main components:
The risk of all lower body injuries may be reduced by up to 50% by regular participation in a balance training exercise program with a resistance training component, such as a neuromuscular training warm-up program. Completing this warm-up program can lower the likelihood of ankle and knee injuries.
Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre has developed a neuromuscular training warm-up program that can be adapted to many sports. Encouraging gymnasts, their parents, coaches, and officials to include a well-rounded training program into their warm-up at least two times per week has been associated with a significant reduction in lower body injuries.
Click here to view poster.
Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
Encourage your gymnasts to adopt strength training exercises designed to prevent injuries to the shoulder and back. The Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre has developed specific exercises in video and PDF form to help prevent back and shoulder injuries.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent shoulder injuries.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent back injuries.
For more exercises, visit http://fittoplay.org/.
Get Set Neuromuscular Training
The Get Set app contains exercises that gymnasts can complete at home. Created by the Oslo Sports Trauma Center, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, and Making Waves AS in 2014 for the International Olympic Committee, the app allows you to search by body part to view exercises that work to strengthen each area of the body, or search by sport to view a library of exercises that are specific to both artistic and rhythmic gymnastics.
Download Get Set for Android.
Download Get Set for iOS.
While concussions are not the most common injury in gymnastics, it is important to be aware of concussion signs and symptoms and know what to do if concussion is suspected. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) is an online resource to learn more about how to recognize, prevent, and manage a concussion. CATT also includes resources on how to respond to a potential concussion situation, as well as detailed Return to School and Return to Sport protocol.
Sport-related Physicals
Gymnastics is a physically demanding sport and some pre-existing conditions may increase the risk of injury. An annual sport-related physical evaluation ensuring fitness to participate can help to reduce risk of injury. The American Academy of Pediatrics provides information about preparticipation physical evaluation.
Learn more about Preparticipation Physical Evaluation.
