Common Types of Gymnastics Injuries Menu Verywell Fit Nutrition Weight Management Nutrition Facts Nutrition Basics Diets Meal Plans Meal Delivery Services View All News Fitness and Nutrition What to Buy How We Test Products Fitness Gear Nutrition Products Tools Recipe Nutrition Calculator Weight Loss Calorie Goal BMI Calculator Body Fat Percentage Calculator Calories Burned by Activity Daily Calories Burned Pace Calculator About Us Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Search Health and Safety Common Types of Gymnastics Injuries By Elizabeth Quinn Elizabeth Quinn Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 04, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Erin Pereira, PT, DPT Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, PT, DPT Erin Pereira, PT, DPT, is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Gymnastics is a demanding and challenging sport for both men and women. Gymnastics injuries most frequently include strains and sprains, but severe and traumatic injuries can occur as well. An increase in risky stunts makes traumatic head and neck injuries a real concern for athletes, parents, and coaches. Types of Injuries Sports injuries are typically classified as either: Chronic (overuse) injuries: These include cumulative aches and pains that occur over time and can often be prevented with appropriate training and rest. Acute (traumatic) injuries: These are typically accidents that occur suddenly and can't always be avoided; they require immediate first aid. Injury Rates in Gymnasts The large majority of reported gymnastics injuries include overuse injuries from long hours of practice and wear and tear on the joints. However severe, catastrophic and traumatic injuries are also a real possibility when performing risky acrobatic stunts during gymnastics. According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research, gymnastics is the second leading cause of serious or catastrophic sports injuries in female athletes. Cheerleading tops the list, which includes track, field hockey, and lacrosse. The Most Common Gymnastics Injuries Thankfully, the large majority of reported gymnastics injuries are not catastrophic. Due to the nature of the sport, the most common injuries include: Back injuries: The two most common back injuries in gymnasts include muscle strains of the back and spondylolysis. Bruises and contusions: Tumbling, twisting, and flipping on the mats or in the air can result in various bruises and contusions to gymnasts. Muscle soreness: This is the sort of muscle soreness experienced 12 to 48 hours after a challenging workout or competition. Getting enough rest often is all you need to recover. Overtraining syndrome: Overtraining syndrome frequently occurs in athletes who train beyond the body's ability to recover. Sprains and strains: The best immediate treatment for sprains and strains is the R.I.C.E. method. Two sprains that often occur: Ankle sprains: Ankle sprains top the list of the most common gymnastics ankle injuries. An ankle sprain occurs when there is a stretching and tearing of ligaments surrounding the ankle joint. Wrist sprains: A sprained wrist typically occurs when a gymnast stretches or tears the ligaments of the wrist. Falling or landing hard on the hands during handsprings is a common cause of wrist sprains. Stress fractures: Stress fractures in the leg are often the result of overuse or repeated impact on a hard surface, such as tumbling across the gym floor or hitting hard landings. Though not an injury, another health problem female gymnasts can face is amenorrhea or the loss of their menstrual cycle. This is a warning sign that the body is under too much stress and has too few energy stores to support healthy functioning. Less Common Injuries Some less common but serious injuries to various body parts include: Head Neck and Shoulder Injuries Less common but risky injuries to the head, neck, and shoulder include: ConcussionFractured clavicle (shoulder)Neck strainShoulder separationShoulder dislocationSLAP tearTorn rotator cuff Knee and Leg Injuries Possible injuries that occur less often to the knee and leg include: Anterior and posterior cruciate ligament (ACL/PCL) injuries Groin pull Hamstring pull, tear, or strain> Iliotibial band syndrome Meniscus tears Pulled or strained calf muscle Shin splints Foot and Ankle Injuries Foot and ankle injuries that may occur in gymnasts include: Achilles tendinitis Achilles tendon rupture Ankle sprains Hand Injuries Hand injuries to be mindful of in gymnastics include: Wrist sprainsFinger fracturesWrist tendinitis The Most Serious Gymnastics Injuries The most common types of serious or catastrophic injuries to female gymnastic athletes include: Head injuries and ConcussionsNeck (cervical) fracturesBone fractures Possible Causes One of the main reasons for the high number of gymnastics injuries may be the increase in advanced stunts and higher levels of competition in recent years. Today's gymnastics stunts include increasingly technical acrobatic and gymnastic moves with a much higher degree of risk and difficulty than in years past. Gymnasts routinely hurl themselves through the air performing back-flips, twists and tumbles, and new, cutting-edge stunts. These moves require precision, timing, and hours of practice with a skilled coach. Safety Tips for Gymnastics Today's gymnastic stunts require a high degree of skill in acrobatics strength and balance. It's essential for athletes to have appropriate instruction and coaching and to follow basic safety precautions. Train with a highly skilled and qualified coach who specializes in gymnastics or acrobatics safety training.Make sure your coach is certified in advanced first aid and CPR.Only perform stunts in a designated practice area with adequate padding, mats, or a spring-loaded floor.Never attempt new or high-risk stunts without supervision and trained spotters. Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. B.J. Shields, MS, G.A. Smith, MD, DrPH. Cheerleading-Related Injuries to Children 5 to 18 Years of Age: United States, 1990-2002. Pediatrics Vol. 117 No. 1 January 2006, pp. 122-129 Prevention and Treatment of Gymnastics Injuries. [http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20Gymnastics%2008.pdf]. American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. 2008. Last accessed June 2010. The National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research. Catastrophic Sport Injury Research 26th Annual Report, http://www.unc.edu/depts/nccsi/AllSport.pdf. By Elizabeth Quinn Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. 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