Skin tears are a common problem and usually occur as the gymnast begins to resume a workout
schedule after taking some time off. They usually result from friction that builds between either
the skin and the apparatus of the skin and the grips. They also can occur with a new set of grips.
The tear should be kept clean and well-lubricated and further ripping should be prevented by gradually
retoughening the callous located at the joints of the finger. Fresh chalk used before starting
work on any apparatus is a good idea. Also, cleaning the apparatus periodically avoids any
buildup of caked on chalk.
The pommel horse has been singled out as the main contributor to wrist injuries in male
gymnastics. During the exercise, the gymnast uses his wrist as a rigid structure of support for his body
weight. The wrist is then subjected to the high intensity of impact and the stress of
repetition. The duration as well as the force generated to support this maneuver increase
the risk of injury.
Treatment of injuries initially focuses on activity modification along with ice and nonsteroidal
antiinflammatory drugs. After the pain cycle has been eliminated, stretching and strengthening
can be initiated. A gradual return to sports with cryotherapy fater completion of practice is
most beneficial. During practice, a gymnast may be taped.
The most common shoulder injury is a supraspinatus strain. Events such as the still rings lead
to stress on the shoulder muscle. The use of dowel grip always increases the forces across the
shoulder by allowing the gymnast to reach higher velocities. Muscle strains of the rotator cuff
are common in younger gymnasts because their upper body has yet to develop.
Gymnasts also can develop bicipital tendnitis, which occurs more frequently in males. The onset
of pain is commonly felt as a sensation that "something is moving" when the gymnast is
performing on the rings, pommel horse, or parallel bars. He complains of swelling, pain, and
discomfort about the bicipital groove.
Acute injuries to the knee are often linked to dismount maneuvers, because the forces are many
times greater than other landings. Because scoring procedures in gymnastics award the highest scores to
complicated dismounts, attaining a higher score involves increased risk. During dismounts, the
gymnast should be educated not to land on a fully extended knee, which may reslut in a ligament tear.
Low back pain is a common problem in gymnastics. Because flexibility is a judge characteristic
in the sport, gymnasts attempt to gain greater and greater ranges of motion. Performing at
these end ranges of motion may predispose gymnasts to injury. Gymnasts often suffer from
flexibility losses of the low back, hip, and knees. Abdominal weakness also is often present.
Failure to correct these muscle imbalances can result in low back pain. Scheuermann disease
is usually associated with hard physical labor in adolescents. There amy be a failure of
the disc, resulting in a decrease in the disc height and abnormalities of the vertebral body or
fractures through the growth plate of the vertebral body, secondary to repetitive flexion and
extension activities.
Most ankle injuries occur with twisting motions during floor exercise, vaulting, and dismounts from
the beams and the uneven parallel bars. Sprain also can be the result of falling from an
apparatus or missed moves while practicing. Ankle sprains are the most common injury that is not a direct
result of practice on any of the apparatus.
Problems with Acchilles tendonitis are relatively common in gymnastics. Gymnasts perform most of their maneuvers with a pointed toe, which leads to decreased flexibility of the tendon. The repetitive nature of the sport, especially during practice, also increases the risk of injury. Usually, problems with the Achilles tendonmay be atributed to dismounts and tumbling.