Injury in Australian female competitive gymnasts: A psychological perspective

A nationwide sample of 162 Australian elite and non-elite competitive female gymnasts was administered a questionnaire to collect personal and training data, as well as information about injuries sustained in the previous 12 months. In addition, to assess the role of psychological variables in injury, the subjects were requested to complete measures of life stress, competitive anxiety, self-esteem, and locus of control. The sample reported 321 injuries, a rate of 1.98 injuries per gymnast (2.36 for the elite gymnasts and 1.83 for the non-elite gymnasts). It was found that for the overall sample and for the non-elite gymnasts, life stress was a significant predictor of injury. For the elite gymnasts, a more internal locus of control significantly predicted injury. The findings indicate the importance of the sports physiotherapist's awareness of the role of stress both as a predisposing factor to injury and also as a variable that should be considered during the rehabilitation process.