6 Physical Problems That Plague Olympic Gymnasts

U.S. gymnast Shawn Johnson, whose career includes an Olympic gold medal and three silver medals at the 2008 Beijing games, recently announced her retirement from competitive gymnastics due to a knee injury she suffered in a skiing accident. Although her injury was not the result of gymnastics, her announcement brings attention to the physical demands and dangers of the sport. In 2009, more than 22,000 children under the age of 14 ended up in hospital emergency rooms with gymnastics-related injuries. Here are six physical problems that are common among gymnasts. We’ve also linked to resources that detail the steps coaches and athletes take to prevent such injuries.

1. Achilles tendon injuries:

   

   Achilles of course was the hero in Greek mythology whose body was invulnerable to injury except for his heel. And despite their physical prowess, gymnasts, like Achilles, are not completely invulnerable to injury. The repeated jumping and landing gymnasts do creates constant stress on the Achilles tendon, located just above the back of the heel. Achilles tendonitis and various other injuries to the tendon are common among athletes, active people, and especially gymnasts. Over time, tendonitis can lead to a rupture of the Achilles tendon.

2. Foot injuries:

   

   Just like in ballet, the female foot in gymnastics has both a physical and aesthetic role. The feet are meant to appear lithe and graceful, while repeatedly sustaining a great deal of gravitational force. Heel and arch pain, as well as ligament strains, stress fractures, and swollen growth plates, are common among gymnasts. Shoes especially designed for particular events, where traction for instance may or may not be desirable, as well as special shoe inserts, are worn by gymnasts to help prevent foot-related injuries.

3. Shoulder injuries:

   

   Shoulder injuries are common among both male and female gymnasts, but for different reasons. Ring performances put an incredible strain on the shoulders of male gymnasts, while the training and physical development particular to female gymnasts result in inflexible shoulders, which can lead to injury. As part of their physical training, male and female gymnasts perform specific therapeutic exercises to help stabilize or maintain the flexibility of their shoulders.

4. Wrist sprains:

   

   Floor, double bar, and vault routines can go by so fast, it’s easy to forget how brutal such routines are on a gymnast’s wrists. Gymnasts spend a great deal of time supporting their body weight, often while upside-down, and initiating movements that are sudden, dramatic, and quick. The strain on the wrists during such routines can result in sprains, fractures, and dislocations, and lead to long-term chronic conditions, including arthritis.

5. Lower back injuries:

   

   Back pain, especially persistent back pain, may indicate a serious injury, including spinal trauma. And the most dangerous thing a gymnast can do when it comes to such pain is ignore it and not seek treatment. Strained muscles, ligament sprains, and disc disorders, as well as somersault landings and bad dismounts, are common causes of back pain and injury among gymnasts.

6. Elbow injuries:

   

   Gymnastic training and routines put repeated strain on the elbow joints. Warmups and stretches are helpful ways to deal with such strains, but over time, gymnasts may still develop inflammation of the tendons around the elbow, a condition known as elbow tendonitis. Rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication can help treat this common condition. A direct fall on an improperly extended and already strained elbow may result in a simple contusion or, more seriously, a sprain, fracture, or dislocation, where the elbow is knocked out of its normal position.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 14th, 2012 at 9:56 pm and is filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.