DOCSLIB.ORG

Review Balancing the Risk of Injury to Gymnasts

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
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. 5 Results—The key gymnastics injury coun- ity. There is also evidence that the growth ter measures identified in this review plate cartilage is less resistant to repetitive include coaching (physical preparation, stress than adult articular cartilage, and that education, spotting, and performance the ligaments of children are stronger than the technique), equipment, and the health cartilage and bone to which they are at- 56 support system (medical screening, treat- tached. This may result in an increased like- lihood of injury to the open epiphysis. Gymnas- ment, and rehabilitation). Categorisation on September 25, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. of the type of evidence for the eVectiveness tics as a potential cause of injury is of particular of each of these counter measures in concern because of participation by children preventing injury showed that most of it is and the frequent high impact loading associ- based on informal opinion/anecdotal evi- ated with both training and competition. dence, uncontrolled data based studies, Gymnastics as a sport has enjoyed a boom in and several prospective epidemiological popularity over the last 20 years, which may studies. There is no evidence from for- reflect the increased publicity and television mally controlled trials or specific evalua- coverage given to the sport at events such as the tion studies of counter measures for Olympic Games. The sport of gymnastics began gymnastics. with the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, where it School of Health Conclusions—Although gymnastics is a was used as a means of discipline and physical Sciences, Deakin sport associated with young participants conditioning for young men being trained for University, Melbourne, and frequent high volume, high impact warfare.7 Today, it is both a recreational and Australia R M Daly training, there is a paucity of information organised sporting activity, in which there are six S L Bass on injury risk factors and the eVective- major disciplines: men’s artistic gymnastics, C F Finch ness of injury practices. Further control- women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic sportive led trials are needed to examine the gymnastics, sport aerobics, trampoline sports, Correspondence to: extent to which injury prevention counter and general gymnastics. Within each of these Dr Daly, School of Health Sciences, 221 Burwood measures can prevent or reduce the disciplines, there are three main levels of Highway, Deakin University, occurrence of injury and re-injury. Par- gymnastics activity: recreational, competitive, Victoria, Australia 3125 ticular attention should be devoted to and elite. At present, the vast majority of [email protected] improving training facilities, the design competitive participants are children. This is Accepted 30 October 2000 and testing of apparatus and personal probably because of the widely held belief that to www.bjsportmed.com How eVective are gymnastics counter measures? 9 achieve success at the highest level, training and 1998) which were used to obtain most of the Br J Sports Med: first published as 10.1136/bjsm.35.1.8 on 1 February 2001. Downloaded from competition should begin before puberty when a information for this review. Discussions with small lean physique is likely to convey a key Australian gymnastics organisations and performance advantage. It is not uncommon for hand searching of journals and reference lists elite gymnasts to start training from as early as were also carried out. The keywords and five or six years of age, and to train for between phrases used to search the literature included 20 and 40 hours a week all year round.89 “gymnastic” and one or a combination of the Since the mid 1970s, competitive gymnastics following words: injury, training, prevention, has undergone a dramatic transformation with conditioning, strength training, flexibility, pre- respect to the complexity of manoeuvres per- participation screening, equipment, technique, formed and the age at which gymnasts start education, coaching, spotting, medical treat- training.10 Both coaches and gymnasts have ment, and rehabilitation. The literature search become more ambitious and creative, and for the relevant material did not discriminate consequently, the range and number of risk ele- between males and females or the diVerent lev- ments incorporated into gymnastics routines els of gymnastics. The material reviewed was have increased substantially.11 More children are restricted to the English language. starting gymnastics from an earlier age and Injuries in sport, such as those that occur maintaining an extremely high level of training during gymnastics, generally result from the throughout the years of growth and develop- culmination of a pre-existing condition and/or ment. Consequently, it has been suggested that a particular set of circumstances.12 A multifac- the increased involvement and difficulty of skills torial chain of events usually results in the inci- practised from an early age may be associated dent leading to an injury during sport. Three 12 with an increased risk of injury. Most elite phases are identifiable as points of interven- gymnasts do not pass through childhood and tion: before the event, the event, and after the adolescence without injury, and the risk of injury event.12 Injury counter measures are measures increases with longer practice time and the aimed at preventing or reducing the risk of 13 degree of diYculty of the routines. injury. It has been suggested that injury coun- Although a number of safety practices are ter measures can be targeted at the three phases widely adopted to prevent the occurrence and in the chain of events leading to an injury. recurrence of gymnastic injuries, the eVective- Gymnastics injury counter measures can there- ness of these preventive measures has received fore be equated to primary (before the event), little attention. Given the cost of treatment for secondary (event), and tertiary (after the event) injury rehabilitation, the loss of sports participa- prevention,14 as shown in table 1. tion time, and the risk of long term or even per- Although few counter measures specific for manent disability, it is important that injury gymnastics have been formally shown to actually counter measures be identified to reduce the prevent injury, the key counter measures identi- occurrence, recurrence, and severity of injuries fied in the literature pertain to coaching (physi- associated with sports participation. The aim of cal preparation, education, spotting, and per- this review was to (a) identify the various injury formance technique), equipment, and the health http://bjsm.bmj.com/ counter measures specific to gymnastics, (b) support system (medical screening, treatment, critically review the literature describing each and rehabilitation). The evidence for each injury prevention measure, and (c) assess, using specific counter measure in these categories will available risk factor and injury data, the weight be discussed according to the level of supportive of evidence to support each of these counter evidence. On the basis of this assessment, measures. Specific recommendations for further recommendations are made for improving the research and implementation strategies to pre- safety of gymnastics and for further counter vent injury and improve safety are also given. on September 25, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. measure research and development. The classi- fication for the strength of the type of evidence Methods showing the eVectiveness of each counter meas- The information
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2018-2019 NCAA Rules Modification Document
    2018-19 NCAA Gymnastics Rules Contents Rules overview ............................................................................................ 1 Competition Rules ....................................................................................... 2 Warm-Up ..................................................................................................... 4 Team Makeup, Computing Team Scores .................................................. 5 Exhibitions and All-Around Qualifiers................................... .................... 6 Official Lineup ............................................................................................. 6 Competition Formats .................................................................................. 7 Participants in Competition Area .............................................................. 8 Attire ........................................................................................................... 8 Equipment and Hand-Grip Failure ............................................................ 8 Roundoff Entry Vaults ................................................................................ 9 Apparatus and Mats .................................................................................... 9 Equipment Company Relations ............................................................... 11 Judges and Judging the Event .................................................................. 11 Score Flashing Procedures .......................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • General Competition Program Information
    Texas High School Gymnastics Coaches Association Men's Compulsory/Optional Rule Document - 2016-2020 The THSGCA Men’s Program has adopted the USA Gymnastics Men’s 2016-2020 Junior Olympic Level 9 Program rules for all optional competition with modifications. A full description of the program with modifications is included below. New, current JO rules are printed in BLACK, High School rules are printed in RED. Chapter 1 - General Competition Program Information I. Explanation and Competition Program Chart A. Qualification Score and Team Seeding to the State Meet: 1. Team Qualifying Score: 295.00 2. Individual Event Qualifiers: The top 10 individual event qualifiers in rank order will advance to the State Championships. 3. All Around Qualifiers: The top 8 individual all around qualifiers in rank order will qualify to the State Championships. 4. All ties in Team, Event, and All Around will qualify to the State Meet. 5. State Meet Team Seeding Process: Day One – Compulsory Competition a. Each Regional Team Champion will select the event they start on for the compulsory competition at the State Meet. b. The selection will rotate as follows: 1. 2017 – R4, then R1, then R2, then R3 2. 2018 – R1, then R2, then R3, then R4 3. 2019 – R2, then R3, then R4, then R1 4. 2020 – R3, then R4, then R1, then R2 c. Regional Runner-ups (2nd place) will pick next. d. Regional 3rd place will pick after the regional runner-ups. e. At large teams will pick last based on their regional team score. f. Tie Breaking Procedure: If there are ties in any of the above situations then the team with the highest combined event score will pick first.
    [Show full text]
  • Men's Gymnastics Rules Modification Document
    MEN’S GYMNASTICS RULES MODIFICATION DOCUMENT 2020 - 21 Edited 12/03/2020 Updates in bold 2020-21 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Rules Modifications Contents Rules overview .......................................................................................... 1 Competition Rules ..................................................................................... 2 Warm-Up .................................................................................................... 7 Team Makeup, Computing Team Scores ................................................ 7 Exhibitions and All-Around Qualifiers................................... ................... 8 Official Lineup ........................................................................................... 8 Competition Formats ................................................................................. 9 Participants in Competition Area .......................................................... 10 Attire ........................................................................................................... 10 Equipment and Hand-Grip Failure ........................................................ 11 Roundoff Entry Vaults ............................................................................. 11 Apparatus and Mats ................................................................................ 12 Equipment Company Relations .............................................................. 14 Judges and Judging the Event ...............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Texas High School Gymnastics Coaches Association Men's Compulsory/Optional Rule Document - 2012-2016 VERSION - 2
    Texas High School Gymnastics Coaches Association Men's Compulsory/Optional Rule Document - 2012-2016 VERSION - 2 Changes between last years rules, current JO, or FIG rules are printed in RED. Version 2 changes are in Green and include USA-G JO Update #1. The THSGCA Men’s Program has adopted the USA Gymnastics Men’s 2013-2016 Junior Olympic Level 9 Program rules for all optional competition with modifications. A full description of the program with modifications is included below. This document begins with Chapter 1 of the 2013-2016 Men's J.O. Age Group Competition Program Manual. Chapter 1 - General Competition Program Information I. Explanation and Competition Program Chart Chapter 1, section 1 and 2 of the 2013-16 Men's J.O. Age Group Competition Program does not apply to the THSGCA Men's Program. A. Qualification Score and Team Seeding to the State Meet: 1. Team Qualifying Score: 295.00 2. Individual Event Qualifiers: The top 10 individual event qualifiers in rank order will advance to the State Championships. 3. All Around Qualifiers: The top 8 individual all around qualifiers in rank order will qualify to the State Championships. 4. All ties in Team, Event, and All Around will qualify to the State Meet. 3. State Meet Team Seeding Process: Day One – Compulsory Competition a. Each Regional Team Champion will select the event they start on for the compulsory competition at the State Meet. b. The selection will rotate as follows: 1. 2012 – R3, then R4, then R1, then R2 2. 2013 – R4, then R1, then R2, then R3 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Men's Gymnastics Rules Modification Document
    MEN’S GYMNASTICS RULES MODIFICATION DOCUMENT 2019 - 20 Edited 11/7/2019 Updates in bold 2019-20 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Rules Modifications Contents Rules overview .......................................................................................... 1 Competition Rules ..................................................................................... 2 Warm-Up .................................................................................................... 5 Team Makeup, Computing Team Scores ................................................ 5 Exhibitions and All-Around Qualifiers................................... ................... 6 Official Lineup ........................................................................................... 7 Competition Formats ................................................................................. 7 Participants in Competition Area ............................................................ 8 Attire ............................................................................................................. 8 Equipment and Hand-Grip Failure .......................................................... 9 Roundoff Entry Vaults .............................................................................. 9 Apparatus and Mats .................................................................................. 9 Equipment Company Relations .............................................................. 11 Judges and Judging the Event ...............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Season Review Was Rewarding to See Him Loosen up WMGF and Have a Good Time Hitting His by Mark Russo Routines
    www.wmgf.us May 7, 2010 Season Review was rewarding to see him loosen up WMGF and have a good time hitting his by Mark Russo routines. Although he still has Our season ended on March 27th The Washington Men’s Gymnastics much to improve, I see him taking with a trip to Collegiate Nationals at Foundation is a non-profit organization care of business during practice, so that exists to assist the Men’s Gymnastics improvement will come quickly for the Air Force Academy where we Team at the University of Washington. him. He is like many of the finished second to Arizona State for the 4th consecutive year. In our self- gymnasts our team has always funded Collegiate Division we WMGF Board of Directors attracted—a late starter who has placed as follows: come to the team hungry to Officers improve and happy to be on a such ASU 326 a close knit team. Washington 295 Next year, the team needs to Brockport, NY 289 take a large step to overtake ASU. There is nearly a point per-routine Texas 260 difference between us. It will take a MIT 245 committed offseason and some It was encouraging to see more good new recruits to bring us into self-funded teams than funded, and contention with ASU. Their huge the level of the self-funded teams has team of 19 gymnasts made it tough Jeramie Hardi‘s first pommel for us to compete since we don’t improved. Although variations are routine as aHusky common, I believe our collective have the same depth and must method of sustaining collegiate WMGF Board of Directors therefore count some tough scores.
    [Show full text]
  • Men's Competition Technical Information
    Program Director: Date: 7.25.13 Subject to Change 2013 P&G Gymnastics Championships August 15-18 Hartford, Connecticut MEN’S COMPETITION TECHNICAL INFORMATION Competition Format All-Around, Individual Event and National Team Determination – Junior and Senior Divisions 1. Individual Event & Based on the combined scores using both the Preliminary and the Men’s Finals All Around competitions. The top 3 in the 15 – 16 year Division and the top 3 in the 17 – 18 - Jr. Elite year Division on each event will be recognized at the conclusion of the Junior Men’s Finals on Sunday August 18. Only athletes who compete in the Jr. Elite Session on Sunday August 18 are eligible for Junior AA and IE awards. 2. Individual Event and Based on the combined scores using both the Preliminary and the Men’s Finals All Around competitions. The top 6 on each event and in the All-Around will be recognized - Senior at the conclusion of the Senior Men’s Finals on Sunday August 18. 3. Junior / Senior The top six (6) All Around athletes from the Junior Elite Session on Friday Men's Prelims August 16 will advance to the Senior Elite Session on August 18 if those athletes are also among the top 36 athletes in the National Points Program results at the conclusion of competition on Friday, August 16. All other athletes from the Junior Elite Session on Friday, August 16 will advance to the Junior Elite Session on August 18. All athletes from the Senior Division Session on Friday, August 16 will advance to the Senior Division Session on August 18.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016-2020 AGCP Manual 4.1.16
    2016-2020 Men’s Junior Olympic Age Group Competition Program with Update 1, 2, 3, and 4 pages inserted Copyright by USA Gymnastics Publications All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated, or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from USA Gymnastics. All requests for permission should be made to: USA Gymnastics 132 E. Washington St., Suite 700 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Dennis McIntyre – Vice President for Men’s Program Kevin Mazeika – National Team Coordinator Dusty Ritter – Men’s Junior Olympic Program Coordinator Lisa Mendel – Men’s Program Manager Edited and formatted by Lynn Boman: “All of the committee members wish to extend our grateful appreciation to Lynn Boman for her contribution to the development of this program document. Junior Olympic Format Coordinating Committee: Tim Klempnauer Mike Serra Kevin White Marc Yancey Bob Young Compulsory Writing Team: Nat Hammond John Karmecy Tim Klempnauer Adam Lomax Kevin Preston Marc Yancey Optional Rules Committee: Grigor Chalikyan Nat Hammond Lorenzo Macaluso Tom Meadows Vince Miller Dean Schott Mike Serra Marc Yancey 2016-2020 Men’s Junior Olympic Age Group Competition Program Foreword The 2016-2020 Age Group Competition Committee acknowledges and has relied on the valuable work of the previous committees whose outstanding work was comprehensive and produced a well-designed program that met the needs of our age group competition program. We have sought to evolve the program by focusing on the potential of growth and a vision of the future of the sport and our club industry. Our vision is to promote growth in the number of boys who can be exposed to gymnastics and enjoy success and recognition.
    [Show full text]
  • Girls Gymnastics Meet Referee Guide
    GIRLS GYMNASTICS MEET REFEREE GUIDE INCLUDES DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL GYMNASTICS OFFICIALS VAULT UNEVEN BARS FLOOR EXERCISE BALANCE BEAM Published October, 2018 GYMNASTICS MEET REFEREE GUIDE INTRODUCTION The Gymnastics Meet Referee Guide is being provided to assist MHSAA registered gymnastic officials who are contracted to serve as a meet referee. This Guide provides the opportunity to review expectations, requirements and responsibilities of an interscholastic meet referee which include inspecting and measuring equipment to verify specifications; conferring with other officials for consistency in scoring; accepting written inquiries from coaches and verifying meet results. Additional responsibilities are included in this Guide. REFERENCE MATERIAL A meet referee, as well as all gymnastics officials, must be knowledgeable of the rules provided in the current National Federation of State High School Associations Gymnastics Rule Book, the Rule Book Insert provided by the MHSAA, all interpretations provided on the MHSAA website and the current MHSAA Officials Guidebook. All of these materials should be carried with you to all meets. REGISTERED MHSAA GYMNASTICS OFFICIAL The following information is taken, in part, from the current edition of the MHSAA Officials Guidebook. The Officials Guidebook, received during the annual registration process, is a must to review and should be a part of your reference materials. Registration A gymnastics official who works interscholastic contests, must be registered for the current year with the MHSAA in the sport of gymnastics. A meet referee is a gymnastics judge with special duties. A meet referee who works interscholastic contests, grades 7-12, must also be registered for the current year with the MHSAA in the sport of gymnastics.
    [Show full text]
  • Men's Gymnastics Rules Modification Document
    MEN’S GYMNASTICS RULES MODIFICATION DOCUMENT 2020 - 21 Edited 02/01/2021 Updates in bold 2020-21 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Rules Modifications Contents Rules overview .......................................................................................... 1 Competition Rules ..................................................................................... 2 Warm-Up .................................................................................................... 7 Team Makeup, Computing Team Scores ................................................ 7 Exhibitions and All-Around Qualifiers................................... ................... 8 Official Lineup ........................................................................................... 8 Competition Formats ................................................................................. 9 Participants in Competition Area .......................................................... 10 Attire ........................................................................................................... 10 Equipment and Hand-Grip Failure ........................................................ 11 Roundoff Entry Vaults ............................................................................. 11 Apparatus and Mats ................................................................................ 12 Equipment Company Relations .............................................................. 14 Judges and Judging the Event ...............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 2016-2020 Men's Junior Olympic Age Group Competition Program
    2016-2020 Men’s Junior Olympic Age Group Competition Program Copyright by USA Gymnastics Publications All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated, or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from USA Gymnastics. All requests for permission should be made to: USA Gymnastics 132 E. Washington St., Suite 700 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Dennis McIntyre – Vice President for Men’s Program Kevin Mazeika – National Team Coordinator Dusty Ritter – Men’s Junior Olympic Program Coordinator Lisa Mendel – Men’s Program Manager Edited and formatted by Lynn Boman: “All of the committee members wish to extend our grateful appreciation to Lynn Boman for her contribution to the development of this program document. Junior Olympic Format Coordinating Committee: Tim Klempnauer Mike Serra Kevin White Marc Yancey Bob Young Compulsory Writing Team: Nat Hammond John Karmecy Tim Klempnauer Adam Lomax Kevin Preston Marc Yancey Optional Rules Committee: Grigor Chalikyan Nat Hammond Lorenzo Macaluso Tom Meadows Vince Miller Dean Schott Mike Serra Marc Yancey 2016-2020 Men’s Junior Olympic Age Group Competition Program Foreword The 2016-2020 Age Group Competition Committee acknowledges and has relied on the valuable work of the previous committees whose outstanding work was comprehensive and produced a well-designed program that met the needs of our age group competition program. We have sought to evolve the program by focusing on the potential of growth and a vision of the future of the sport and our club industry. Our vision is to promote growth in the number of boys who can be exposed to gymnastics and enjoy success and recognition.
    [Show full text]
  • HUGS Men's Artistic Program Guidelines
    HUGS Men’s Artistic Program Guidelines Section I: Equipment and Mat Specifications A. General i. Floor – routines may be performed on either a regular 40’x40’ Floor or a 6’x40’ Strip. ii. Still Rings – routines may be performed on either a regular Still Ring Tower or hanging rings. iii. Vault – routines are performed on stacked mats with a minimum height of 16” or on the vault table. iv. Parallel Bars – routines are performed on spotting blocks or on standard Parallel Bars . v. High Bar – routines can be performed on a low bar or a high bar. B. Additional Matting – minimum requirements for matting should meet the standards set in the Men’s Age Group Competition Program manual. Additional matting may be used at SR, PB & HB but must not impede the athlete’s ability to swing freely on those apparatus. Section II: Judging Guidelines I. General Judging Guidelines A. Judging Requirements i. Only one judge per event will be used B. Minimum Score The minimum score for any exercise or attempted vault is 6.00. C. Routine Repetition Rule i. One attempt at a routine is allowed. ii. Should circumstances occur that are beyond the control of the gymnast which interrupt his attempt at a routine the gymnast may be given the opportunity to repeat his routine, at the discretion of the head judge. iii. Should a hand guard (grip) tear during the routine; the gymnast will be allowed to repeat his performance, at the discretion of the head judge. iv. An incomplete vault may be repeated once with safety in mind and at the judge's discretion with a deduction of 1.00 from the final score of the second attempt.
    [Show full text]