Injuries to elite gymnasts over 10 yr

This retrospective study of 42 male and 74 female elite (artistic) gymnasts at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) reviews all the injuries reported between 1982 and 1991 (inclusive). The injuries were categorized according to type of injury and their specific anatomical distribution. The study also analyzes the incidence of stress fractures in the gymnasts and the prevalence of spondylolysis. Although it is noted from the literature that gymnastics can be a hazardous sport, this study demonstrates an absence of catastrophic injuries and a low number of severe injuries.