Review Balancing the Risk of Injury to Gymnasts
8 Br J Sports Med 2001;35:8–20 Br J Sports Med: first published as 10.1136/bjsm.35.1.8 on 1 February 2001. Downloaded from Review Balancing the risk of injury to gymnasts: how eVective are the counter measures? R M Daly, S L Bass, C F Finch Abstract equipment used by gymnasts, and coach- Background—To minimise injury risk and ing and the role of spotting in preventing maximise gymnastics performance, injury. coaches, parents, and health professionals (Br J Sports Med 2001;35:8–20) working with young gymnasts need to understand and practise safe gymnastics. Keywords: gymnastics; injury prevention; counter Aims—To (a) identify the various injury measures; eVectiveness; coaching; equipment counter measures specific to gymnastics, (b) critically review the literature describ- Although there is increasing evidence that chil- ing each injury prevention measure, and dren are becoming more sedentary and less fit,1 (c) assess, using available risk factor and the number of children and adolescents injury data, the weight of evidence to involved in organised sporting activities such as support each of these counter measures. gymnastics, tennis, and swimming has actually Specific recommendations for further re- increased.2 Although the long term risks search and implementation strategies to associated with involvement in organised sport prevent injury and improve safety are also during the period of growth and development given. are still obscure, concern has been expressed Methods—The relevant literature was over a potential epidemic of both acute and identified through the use of Medline chronic overuse sports injuries.34 (1966 to May 1998) and SPORT Discus (1975 to May 1998) searches, hand search- Adolescence appears to be associated with ing of journals and reference lists, and the highest incidence of injury, which may be partially due to the growth process itself induc- discussions with key Australian gymnas- http://bjsm.bmj.com/ ing an imbalance between strength and flexibil- tics organisations.
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