Gymnastics

Gymnastics is a sport that requires strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and endurance. While its aerial and acrobatic movements can shock and awe, these movements can increase an athlete’s risk for injury.

What are the common injuries in gymnastics?

For paediatric populations, the most common gymnastics injuries include: sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations. It has been reported that roughly 97% of gymnastics injuries end up in emergency departments. The most common sites of injuries are the ankle, lower leg, shoulder, Achilles, trunk, and foot.

One of the most prevalent chronic issue experienced by gymnasts is low back pain. Low back pain has been reported in up to 85% of gymnast populations. The most common low back injury is spondyolysis.

What are the risks?

Risk factors for injury in gymnastics include: a previous history of injury, competing before complete recovery, improper technique, overtraining/overuse, and environmental factors such as landing surfaces.

How can I prevent injury?

To begin, it should be noted that 80- 97% of injuries happen in practice compared to competition.

Some of the best ways to prevent injury are to:

Avoid over training.
Learn proper form and technique for skills in order to protect the body from repeated motions.
Engage in a proper warm up.
Engage in specialized strength and conditioning programs that have been developed for gymnasts.
Manage pain and physical issues early, before they become chronic.

Why is physiotherapy important?

Nearly 90% of elite gymnasts report sustaining one or more injuries that result in reduced training capacity. These athletes spend roughly 14% of their time training at sub-optimal levels. Physiotherapists can help to prevent and manage these injuries, which in turn increases optimal training time.

Physiotherapists with training in gymnast populations can help to identify risk factors, diagnose and treat acute and chronic injuries, educate on proper warm up techniques, provide relevant strength and conditioning programs, and screen for proper form in the performance of gymnastics skills to prevent biomechanical errors.

Credentials

Lindsay Wourms, PT, MScPT, Special Focus in Paediatrics
Former competitive gymnast
Gymnastics coaching experience with both recreational and pre-competitive groups
Special education in gymnastics rehabilitation and injury prevention
Physical Therapist on site for gymnastics at the BC Winter Games 2023

References:

References Hecht, S. S., & Burton, M. S. (2009). Medical coverage of gymnastics competitions. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 8(3), 113–118.

Heinen, T., Pizzera, A., & Cottyn, J. (2010). When is manual guidance effective for the acquisition of complex skills in Gymnastics? International Journal of Sport Psychology, 41(3), 255–276.

Kerr, Z. Y., Hayden, R., Barr, M., Klossner, D. A., & Dompier, T. P. (2015). Epidemiology of National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s gymnastics injuries, 2009–2010 through 2013– 2014. Journal of Athletic Training, 50(8), 870–878.

Kirialanis, P., Dallas, G., Di Cagno, A., & Fiorilli, G. (2015). Knee injuries at landing and take-off phase in gymnastics. Science of Gymnastics Journal, 7(1), 17–25.

Kirialanis, P., Malliou, P., Beneka, A., Gourgoulis, V., Giofstidou, A., & Godolias, G. (2002). Injuries in artistic gymnastic elite adolescent male and female athletes. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 16(4), 145–151.

Kolt, G. S., & Kirkby, R. J. (1995). Epidemiology of injury in Australian female gymnasts. Research in Sports Medicine: An International Journal, 6(3), 223–231.

Kox, L. S., Kuijer, P. P. F. M., Kerkhoffs, G. M. M. J., Maas, M., & Frings-Dresen, M. H. W. (2015). Prevalence, incidence and risk factors for overuse injuries of the wrist in young athletes: a systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(18), 1189-96.

Kruse, D., & Lemmen, B. (2009). Spine injuries in the sport of gymnastics. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 8(1), 20–28.

Nemeth, R. L., Von Baeyer, C. L., & Rocha, E. M. (2005). Young gymnasts’ understanding of sport‐ related pain: a contribution to prevention of injury. Child: Care, Health and Development, 31(5), 615–625.

Sands, W. A., McNeal, J. R., Jemni, M., & Penitente, G. (2011). Thinking sensibly about injury prevention and safety. Science of Gymnastics Journal, 3(3), 43-58. Singh, S., Smith, G. A., Fields, S. K., & McKenzie, L. B. (2008). Gymnastics-related injuries to children treated in emergency departments in the United States, 1990–2005. Pediatrics, 121(4), e954–e960

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Sun City Physiotherapy Locations

Lindsay Wourms PT, MScPT

Lindsay grew up in Kamloops, BC where she competed for many years as an artistic gymnast. She got to know the physiotherapy profession very well in that time, and decided to pursue her passion for rehabilitation with a career in physiotherapy. She graduated from the University of Alberta in 2017 with a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy and worked in Edmonton before moving back home to BC.

Lindsay has experience treating clients of all ages and backgrounds, whether their injuries be from a motor vehicle accident, work-related, or athletic. She has a strong interest and experience in treating gymnasts, dancers, and baseball players. She approaches the treatment and management of all conditions with a focus on understanding client goals, developing individualized rehabilitation plans, and providing education, open communication, and hands on treatment.

Complete Concussion Management

Concussion Management

Complete Concussion Management

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a mild form of brain injury that results from acceleration or deceleration of the brain within the skull following a significant impact to the head or body. Concussions can be the result of a direct blow to the head, or of indirect forces causing quick movement of the head or neck. A concussion may occur with or without a loss of consciousness, and cannot be detected with imaging techniques such as a CT Scan or MRI.

Most concussion symptoms will resolve within 7-10 days, even though the full physiological effects of a concussion can last up to 30 days. For some, however, symptoms do not resolve within 7-10 days. In this scenario, the symptoms may be generated from multiple sources such as the neck, or the visual or vestibular systems. Symptoms may also be based on level of exertion. When symptoms persist beyond the 7-10 days, they may indicate Post Concussion Syndrome.

It is recommended that individuals who suffer a concussion undergo a full assessment in the early stages of their concussion, as a stepwise return to activity can help to prevent prolonged symptoms and suffering.

What are Common Symptoms of a Concussion?

Physical – headache, lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, changes in sleep patterns, changes in vision, sensitivity to light and noise.

Cognitive – reduced concentration, memory problems, feeling mentally foggy.
Emotional – irritability, anxiousness, depression, feeling more emotional than usual.

What sets CCMI Apart when it comes to Concussion Rehabilitation?

Baseline testing – The measures taken in an assessment following a concussion are most accurate when they can be compared against the same measures taken before your injury. This helps to most accurately determine the effects of your concussion, when you are fully recovered, and when it is safe to return to sport. CCMI uses a multi faceted baseline test which ensures that the many areas affected by concussion are accurately assessed. A series of physical and cognitive tests are performed at the beginning of the season and following an injury to determine whether a concussion has occurred, and the level and areas of impact. Once these areas can be identified, rehabilitation is focused where it is needed. Concussion symptoms often disappear days to weeks before the brain has recovered. Having valuable baseline information may help practitioners to make safer return to play decisions.

An integrated approach to rehabilitation – Following a short period of rest, the International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport (2016) recommends a gradual increase in mental and physical activity by a licensed healthcare practitioner trained in concussion management. CCMI concussion treatment includes: balance, exercise, and visual rehabilitation, manual therapy, nutritional interventions, and a gradual return to school, work, and sport.

The CCMI Concussion Tracker Smartphone Application for coaches, teachers, and athletes – The CCMI Concussion Tracker app supports safer return-to-sport decisions for young athletes. It captures and shares an athletes’ concussion status in real time. Where a concussion hits, Concussion Tracker enables the coach and athlete to: