THE YOUNG GYMNAST - 05/09/11
Résumé |
Gymnastics was first described 4000 years ago in Egypt and was included in the Olympics in 700 BC.29 It is only within the past few decades that women's gymnastics has become a sport almost exclusively for children and adolescents. The evolution of women's gymnastics has seen a selection toward younger, smaller, thinner athletes29 who are able to flip and twist faster and higher. The physical changes associated with puberty usually mark the end of a female gymnast's career. In men's gymnastics, however, the additional strength that accompanies puberty enhances the performance of the athletes.
Popularity of the sport has grown steadily since the performances of Olga Korbut and Nadia Comaneci in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics, respectively.7, 29, 42 In the pursuit of excellence, children are becoming involved in gymnastics at younger and younger ages.38 It is not unusual to encounter gymnasts who entered the sport at 5 years of age.42 They train with increasing intensity all year round, which leads to greater stresses on the developing musculoskeletal system.26, 38 The techniques often result in excessive force transmission through the extremities and spine. Changes in equipment have accommodated increasingly difficult moves. When combined, these factors frequently lead to injuries. Psychological, nutritional, and hormonal factors add to the risk for developing certain types of overuse injuries.
In artistic gymnastics (referred to as “gymnastics” throughout the text), athletes perform routines on vault, bars, beam, and floor (women) or floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars and high bar (men). Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport uniquely for the female athlete. It involves performance of routines incorporating ball, hoop, clubs, ribbon, and rope. The movements and physique of the rhythmic gymnast are reminiscent of the classical ballerina, with similarities in injuries, as well.
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| Address reprint requests to Merrilee N. Zetaruk, MD, FRCPC, Pan Am Sports Medical and Surgical Centre, 75 Poseidon Bay, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3M 3E4 This work was supported in part by the Sports Legacy Fund of the Children's Hospital Foundation, Winnipeg, Manitoba and by the Pan Am Sports Medical and Surgical Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
Vol 19 - N° 4
P. 757-780 - octobre 2000 Retour au numéro
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- Angela D. Smith
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- W. Ben Kibler, Marc R. Safran
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