INJURY FREQUENCY IN ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

A higher frequency of sports injuries occurs due to the intense and physically challenging training, especially in artistic gymnasts. Hence, the aim of our study was to summarize the relevant literature on the incidence of injuries in artistic gymnasts. The following index databases were used to collect adequate literature: Google Scholar, PubMed, and MEDLINE, with the pre-defined inclusion criteria: studies on the given topic written in English language, published until December 2022, the participants sample consisted of competitive professional, semi-professional, elite and junior artistic gymnasts, as well as national teams were taken into consideration. A total of 15 studies have met the pre-defined criteria and were included in the systematic review. According to the localization, the most common injuries are the lower extremities, with a 30-60% frequency. Regarding the upper extremities, 14 of 15 studies have reported approximately 20% injury frequency. Other injuries, such as shoulder, head, torso, and back, have a frequency of 3-15%. Furthermore, according to the mechanisms of injury, the most common causes were contact with the apparatus surface. Authors can conclude that the training process, which is not reflected in technical preparation but in the purpose of injury prevention, is crucial in this sport.