Flexibility and musculoskeletal symptomatology in female gymnasts and age-matched controls

Sixty competitive female gymnasts and 35 age-matched nonathletic controls were interviewed for musculoskeletal symptoms and examined for flexibility. A significantly greater number of gymnasts (P less than 0.01) had musculoskeletal symptoms in the wrist, low back, hip, shin, and foot regions than did the controls. The average number of symptomatic regions per subject was significantly greater (P less than 0.001) in gymnasts (6.17) than in controls (2.25). Gymnasts had greater shoulder flexion and horizontal abduction, lumber flexion, hip extension, and toe-touching abilities (P less than 0.001). Controls surpassed gymnasts only in the extent of elbow supination (P less than 0.001). There were no significant differences in lumbar, knee or elbow extension. No statistically significant correlations in flexibility between different body regions were identifiable in gymnasts or controls. The gymnasts with low back discomfort and greater toe-touching ability than those without symptoms. No other consistent and significant relationships between symptomatology and flexibility in a region were found.