Keeping Your Gymnast Healthy

Gymnastics is a sport that requires strength, agility and dedication. It offers young athletes a chance to grow both physically and mentally. However, like any sport, gymnastics comes with its own set of risks.

Injury prevention is crucial for keeping athletes in top shape. Here are some important tips for parents, coaches and athletes to help reduce the risk of injury and ensure a long, successful gymnastics career.

For Parents:

When selecting a gym for your child, prioritizing safety is crucial. Look for gyms where coaches are certified by USA Gymnastics, as this ensures they are trained in proper safety protocols and techniques.

It’s also important to create a healthy environment at home. Avoid over-scheduling your gymnast and encourage them to maintain a balanced lifestyle. Provide a variety of nutritious foods to support their growth and performance, and ensure they get enough sleep—aim for at least 8-9 hours each night.

For Coaches:

While coaching, make sure you are actively involved and emphasize correct form at all times, including during stretching, conditioning, and basic drills. Athletes should only progress to more difficult skills when physically and mentally ready. Having a training plan for each day, week and year can help you plan for an athlete’s progression and avoid overuse injuries.

If certain injuries are common in your gym, such as ankle injuries or back pain, collaborate with healthcare providers to develop injury prevention exercises and include them in your conditioning and warm-up routines. Additionally, pay attention to non-verbal cues from athletes—such as limping or altered mechanics—which can signal potential injuries. Catching injuries early can lead to quicker recovery.

For Athletes:

• Prepare Mentally and Physically: Never skip your warm-up! Get your blood flowing, do some dynamic stretching and practice basic skills before moving on to more advanced moves. Make sure you’re focused before you start any new skills. Mental readiness is just as important as physical preparation.
• Master the Basics: Perfect your fundamental skills first and always pay attention to your coach’s instructions and follow them carefully to ensure proper technique and safety.
• Take care of yourself: Growing athletes need plenty of rest to recover and perform at their best. Aim for 8-9 hours of sleep each night, and fuel your body with nutritious, high-quality foods to support your training. Remember, it’s never okay to practice through pain. If something doesn’t feel right or you’re experiencing pain, don’t ignore it! Speak up and tell your coach or parents.

If your gymnast has an injury or pain, contact our Sports Medicine department, to make an appointment call 380-276-2912.