Injury epidemiology and risk factors in competitive artistic gymnasts: a systematic review

Abstract

BackgroundArtistic gymnastics is reported to have some of the highest injury rates in sports, which limits participation and often involves considerable medical expenses.PurposeTo critically appraise the epidemiological literature on injury patterns and risk factors in competitive artistic gymnastics.Study designSystematic review.MethodsSix databases were searched for articles that investigated injuries in competitive artistic gymnasts. Injury incidence, prevalence and risk factor data were extracted, alongside information on injury location, type, severity, nature and mechanism of injury. Quality and level of evidence were assessed using a modified Downs and Black quality index checklist and the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine guidelines.ResultsThe search identified 894 articles, with 22 eligible for inclusion. Descriptive analysis showed that injury incidence and prevalence varied from 0.3 to 3.6 injuries per gymnast (female=0.3–3.6, male=0.7) and 2.0–2.3 (female=2.0–2.3, male=2.0), respectively. Male gymnasts sustained mostly upper limb injuries, while female gymnast reported lower limb injuries. Floor was associated with the greatest number of injuries for both male and female gymnasts. Higher competitive level and exposure to competition were risk factors for gymnastics injury: age, body mass, body size, training duration and life stress were significant associated factors.ConclusionInjury incidence and prevalence results are substantial among artistic gymnasts of all competitive levels. Gymnasts who train at highly competitive levels and are exposed to competition environments are a greater risk of injury. Future researchers should implement consistent reporting methods.

Coach awareness, knowledge and practice in relation to growth and maturation and training load in competitive, young gymnasts

“…[14][15][16][17] Coaches also described other acute injuries that their gymnasts experienced, which have been previously reported to occur in gymnastics. [43][44][45] These included shoulder injuries in MAG gymnasts, lower limb injuries in TRA gymnasts and hamstring strains in WAG gymnasts.…”

Body Composition, Training Volume/Pattern and Injury Status of Slovenian Adolescent Female High-Performance Gymnasts

“…Our results are partially in line with those of the two review studies on injury type and frequency in gymnastics [22,23]; the authors found that most injuries affected the lower and upper extremities, followed by the back, shoulders and neck. Another recent review of 10 studies that investigated the location of injuries in female gymnasts reported the lower limbs were the most commonly injured area of the body [24]. However, older results in 64 Australian elite-level and sub-elite-level female gymnasts showed that the low back was the second most commonly reported area of injury, immediately after the ankle and foot [49].…”

“…Importantly, measures for preventing sport-related injuries should also be included in overall physical preparedness and training/dietary strategies. Of note, the incidence and severity of injuries is relatively high among artistic gymnasts, especially advanced-level female gymnasts [22][23][24]. A recent systematic review of 12 studies including 843 female gymnasts that evaluated injury type and frequency showed that most injuries affected the lower extremities, followed by the upper extremities, the torso/spine and neck [23].…”

The Relationship between Cognitive and Emotional Factors and Healthcare and Medication Use in People Experiencing Pain: A Systematic Review

“…To further increase its suitability for estimating risk of bias for the specific objective of this systematic review, the original checklist was modified. Such modifications have been done before in previous systematic reviews [41][42][43]. The answer option "Not applicable" was added to several questions, as for some study designs particular questions were not applicable, resulting in a different total score depending on the study design.…”