Adolescent Gymnasts Research Articles

The use of a dual-task paradigm to identify superior sensory organisation ability in rhythmic gymnasts

ABSTRACTPrevious study has showed superior sensory organisation ability in rhythmic gymnasts, but mostly in longitudinal data. With a cross-sectional design, this study used a dual-task paradigm to examine the above phenomenon. Fifteen female rhythmic gymnasts (15.0 ± 1.8 yr.) and matched peers (15.1 ± 2.1 yr.) were recruited. The Sensory Organization Test (SOT) was administered with a concurrent lower-demand (serial subtraction of three, serving as the baseline) or higher-demand (serial subtraction of seven, serving as the dual-task) arithmetic task. The results showed no main effect of group, but a group by level of arithmetic task (P = 0.001) interaction effect on SOT equilibrium score. The higher-demand task facilitated balance performance in the gymnasts, but it impeded performance in the controls, with the differences more pronounced in challenging SOT conditions. With the higher-demand task, the gymnasts adopted a sensory strategy with a higher visual ratio but a smaller somatosensory ratio compared to the controls. Better visual utilisation of sensory organisation ability was apparent in gymnasts, but only when the SOT test was performed with a higher-demand secondary task. We have demonstrated the efficacy of using the dual-task paradigm to identify the superior sensory organisation ability of adolescent rhythmic gymnasts.

The Relationship Between Flexibility and Low Back Pain in Female Adolescent Gymnasts

The Relationship Between Flexibility and Low Back Pain in Female Adolescent Gymnasts

Assessment of health-related fitness by the ALPHA-fitness test battery in girls and adolescents who practise rhythmic gymnastics

Introduction: An optimal level of health-related physical fitness is essential in rhythmic gymnastics, since this sport involves significant physical and technical demands and it requires early specialisation and high training volumes. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyse the level of health-related physical fitness in girls and adolescents who practise rhythmic gymnastics by means of the ALPHA-Fitness test battery. Method: 116 competitive gymnasts between 7 and 18 years old (49.2% girls and 50.8% adolescents) participated in this descriptive, comparative, cross-sectional study. The ALPHA-Fitness test battery (cardiorespiratory fitness test, agility test, standing broad jump test and handgrip strength test) was applied in order to assess physical fitness. Body mass, height, waist circumference and subscapular and triceps skinfolds were measured to determine body composition. Body mass and height were used to calculate the body mass index (BMI) and the skinfolds were used to determine the body fat percentage. Height and waist circumference were used to calculate the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Results: All gymnasts presented good physical fitness, the best results being obtained in the agility test and the standing broad jump. They all showed low values of BMI, waist circumference and body fat percentage. Correlations were found in the complete sample between the BMI, body fat percentage and waist circumference measures and the different physical fitness tests. The Mann-Whitney U test yielded significant differences (p < 0.005) between girls and adolescents in all physical fitness tests, the adolescent gymnasts showing a higher physical fitness level than the younger ones. All gymnasts had a WHtR below 0.55, related with a better cardiovascular profile. Conclusions: In general, the gymnasts presented good physical fitness. Adolescents showed a higher physical fitness level than girls. They all presented lower BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage and WHtR than the reference values.

Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Humeral Capitellum in Young Athletes: Comparison Between Baseball Players and Gymnasts.

Background:Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions are often observed in the humeral capitellum both in young baseball players and gymnasts. It is generally believed that capitellar OCD in baseball players can be seen on an anteroposterior (AP) radiograph with the elbow in 45° of flexion. However, the mechanism of injury seems to be different in baseball players and gymnasts. Repetitive valgus overload with the elbow in flexion is believed to be the cause of capitellar OCD lesions in baseball players, whereas weightbearing with the elbow in extension may be the cause of OCD in gymnasts.Purpose:To determine the difference in capitellar OCD location between baseball players and gymnasts and to propose the optimal AP radiographic angle of the elbow for visualization of early-stage OCD lesions in adolescent gymnasts.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:Subjects consisted of 95 baseball players (95 elbows) and 21 gymnasts (24 elbows) with a mean age of 13.7 years (range, 11-18 years). To localize the lesion, inclination of the affected area in the humeral capitellum against the humeral axis was investigated using sagittal computed tomography images of the elbow. The inclination angle was defined as the angle between the long axis of the humerus and the line perpendicular to a line that connected the anterior and posterior margin of the lesion. The inclination angle in each group was compared and statistically analyzed.Results:The mean inclination angle was 57.6° ± 10.7° in baseball players and 28.0° ± 10.7° in gymnasts. Capitellar OCD lesions were located more anterior in baseball players when compared with gymnasts (P < .01).Conclusion:Due to differences in applied stress, capitellar OCD lesions in baseball players were located more anteriorly compared with those seen in gymnasts. Therefore, although AP radiographs with the elbow in 45° of flexion are optimal for detecting OCD lesions in baseball players, radiographs with less elbow flexion or full extension are more useful in gymnasts, especially in early-stage OCD.

Differences in the motor coordination abilities among adolescent gymnasts, swimmers, and ice hockey players

PurposeMotor coordination is proposed to be a relatively stable age-related construct, unlikely to be influenced by aligned experiential factors such as intensive sport-specific training. The purpose of the study is to investigate if there are differences in motor coordination abilities among young artistic gymnasts, swimmers, and ice hockey players.MethodsThe participants of the study were 508 female and 258 male adolescents (age, &lt;i&gt;M&lt;/i&gt; = 12.80, &lt;i&gt;SD&lt;/i&gt; = 1.10) comprising artistic gymnasts (&lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 463), swimmers (&lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 70), and ice hockey players (&lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 233). The KTK-test protocol was used to analyse their gross motor coordination abilities.ResultsThe results of the study demonstrated that gymnasts scored better than ice hockey players and swimmers in the test of walking backwards along a beam, and better than ice hockey players in total motor coordination, hopping over an obstacle, and the test of moving sideways on wooden boards. However, ice hockey players scored higher than swimmers and gymnasts in the test of jumping from side to side. Subsequently, swimmers obtained better results in the test of moving sideways on wooden boards as compared with ice hockey players.ConclusionsThe study results indicate that intensive sport-specific training may extend young athletes’ motor coordination characteristics in the ability areas representative of the sport in which they engage.

Superior short-term learning effect of visual and sensory organisation ability when sensory information is unreliable in adolescent rhythmic gymnasts

ABSTRACTRhythmic gymnasts specialise in dynamic balance under sensory conditions of numerous somatosensory, visual, and vestibular stimulations. This study investigated whether adolescent rhythmic gymnasts are superior to peers in Sensory Organisation test (SOT) performance, which quantifies the ability to maintain standing balance in six sensory conditions, and explored whether they plateaued faster during familiarisation with the SOT. Three and six sessions of SOTs were administered to 15 female rhythmic gymnasts (15.0 ± 1.8 years) and matched peers (15.1 ± 2.1 years), respectively. The gymnasts were superior to their peers in terms of fitness measures, and their performance was better in the SOT equilibrium score when visual information was unreliable. The SOT learning effects were shown in more challenging sensory conditions between Sessions 1 and 2 and were equivalent in both groups; however, over time, the gymnasts gained marginally significant better visual ability and relied less on visual sense when unreliable. In conclusion, adolescent rhythmic gymnasts have generally the same sensory organisation ability and learning rates as their peers. However, when visual information is unreliable, they have superior sensory organisation ability and learn faster to rely less on visual sense.

Social predictors of psychological need satisfaction and well-being among female adolescent gymnasts: A longitudinal analysis.

Social predictors of psychological need satisfaction and well-being among female adolescent gymnasts: A longitudinal analysis.

Bilateral Crush Injury of the Proximal Tibial Physis in an Adolescent Gymnast: A Case Report.

A thirteen-year-old female gymnast experienced bilateral knee pain after landing from a jump off a vault during a competition. Initial radiographs revealed negative findings, but magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated periphyseal osseous edema of the proximal parts of the tibiae. The patient later developed an anterior physeal bar on the right side, with recurvatum deformity. Despite similar initial imaging findings bilaterally and identical mechanisms of injury, only the injury on the right side met the strict criteria for classification as a Salter-Harris type-V injury. This case illustrates the difficulty encountered with current diagnostic criteria for type-V injuries.

Wrist Injury - Tennis

HISTORY: A 14 year old male tennis and hockey player presented to Sports Medicine with right wrist pain of 6 weeks duration located over the radial aspect of the wrist. He had fallen on an outstretched arm 7-8 weeks prior while playing doubles, but was able to complete the match and play several more matches that day and the following day with only minimal pain. About a week after the fall, his wrist pain began; he is not sure if it was the same pain he had experienced briefly after the fall. The pain was aggravated the more he played tennis and relieved by several days of rest. The pain mainly occurred as he was coming through in pronation on the follow through of his forehand. The pain gradually became more severe until the patient could hardly play any tennis due to pain. He was also unable to stick handle or shoot in hockey without pain. He had not played tennis or hockey for 2 weeks prior to presentation. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Examination revealed mild tenderness over the distal radius and the radial gutter. Range of motion was full without pain. He had pain with resisted pronation. Strength of the wrist was otherwise normal. There was no evidence of swelling and sensory examination was normal. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: Impaction fracture of the radius Scaphoid fracture Scapholunate dislocation/ligamentous sprain Tendinitis first or second dorsal compartment Interosseous membrane sprain TEST AND RESULTS: X-ray wrist - increased sclerosis of the distal radius and ulnar metaphysis adjacent to the growth plate. MRI wrist - signal abnormality and focal irregularity in the distal radial metaphysis and physis most suggestive of stress reaction. Small ganglion cyst along the radiocarpal joint in the volar aspect of the wrist. No evidence of a Salter fracture. Contents of the carpal tunnel are normal. FINAL WORKING DIAGNOSIS: Distal radial physeal stress reaction (gymnast’s wrist) TREATMENT AND OUTCOMES: Patient was placed in a short arm cast for 4 weeks. As it was hockey season when the cast came off, he was placed in a formfit wrist splint for hockey and started a gradual return to sports. So far the patient has had minimal pain with hockey, but further outcomes will be discussed at the conference. Since this is an injury which typically occurs in adolescent gymnasts, we will discuss the possible mechanism of this injury with tennis.

Correlation macro nutrient intake with body fat among adolescent gymnastic, in East Java Province, Indonesia

Body fat is the biggest source of energy for athletes to perform exercise. The Coach strict intake macronutrient to get low body weight for gymnast. Gymnast suffer energy deficit which affect their body fat because of high energy expenditure during exercise and food strict.AimsThis research was to analyze correlation between macronutrient intake with body fat of adolescent gymnast.MethodsThis observasional research with using cross sectional analytic, which used entire population as sample which consisted of 9 male gymnast and 14 female gymnast below 19 age of Gymnastic athlete club east java province, Indonesia. By using 24 hour's recall for measured food intakes and BIA for measured body composition.ResultTable 1. Character Physically of Sample&#x0D; Character Male (n=9) Female (n=14) Total (n=23) Age (year) 12.4 ± 1.9 14.0 ± 2.2 13.39 ± 2.21 Height (cm) 140.7 ± 12.8 145.9 ± 8.8 143.9 ± 10.6 Weight (kg) 35.4 ± 8.5 38.3 ± 7.5 37.2 ± 7.8 IMT (km/m2) 17.6 ± 1.8 17.8 ± 2.1 17.7 ± 1.9 IMT/age normal normal ‐ Body fat (%) 8.9 ± 3.9 16.2 ± 5.0 13.3 10‐12 year 9.3 ± 2.8 13.3 ± 2.4 11.3 13‐15 year 6.4 ± 1.3 15.6 ± 5.1 11.9 16‐18 year 17 ± 0 20.1 ± 5.3 19.4 Male gymnast had 8,9% average body fat and female gymnast had 16,2% average body fat. Intakes of macronutrient Male Female ρ‐value average ± SD RDA average ± SD RDA male female Carbohidrate (gram) 10‐12 year 201 ± 19.1 289 84.2 ± 25.3 275 0.018 0.138 13‐15 year 181.8 ± 12.7 340 87.1 ± 40.7 292 16‐18 year 267.1 ± 0 368 99.1 ± 15.3 292 Protein (gram) 10‐12 year 58.9 ± 6.2 56 29.3 ± 8.9 60 0.025 0.035 13‐15 year 49.5 ± 7.4 72 27.6 ± 6.9 69 16‐18 year 71.9 ± 0 66 35.7 ± 5.9 59 Lemak (gram) 10‐12 year 57.9 ± 6.6 70 28.4 ± 9.1 67 0.002 0.059 13‐15 year 48.0 ± 2.7 83 29.4 ± 12.7 71 16‐18 year 63.2 ± 0 89 31.0 ± 4.7 71 Table 2. Crosstab Macronutrient Intake with Body FatShowed body fat percentage had correlation with carbohidrat intake (p=0.018, r=0.758), protein intake (p=0.025, r=0.732), and fat intake (p=0.002, r=0.881) of male gymnast. Only protein intake (p=0.035, r=0.565) had correlation with body fat percetage in female gymnast, whereas carbohidrate (p=0.138) and fat intake (p=0.059) had no correlation with body fat percentages.ConclusionGymnast need digital scales BIA to control body fat percentages. Decrease body fat should make gymnast improve physical fitness and performance of gymnast.

The Effect of a Long-Term Artistic Gymnastic Training on Reaction Time of Male Gymnasts

Since there are variations in the reaction times of athletes in different sports, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a specific training program on a simple reaction time of male gymnasts. In this longitudinal study, fourteen adolescent gymnasts (mean age 12.6 ± 2.1 years) were randomly selected to work out for 15 months in the artistic group. Simple reaction time was assessed by visual and auditory tests using computer software. The training resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in visual (0.33 ± 0.047 s vs. 0.30 ± 0.048 s) and auditory reaction time (0.31 ± 0.056 s vs. 0.27 ± 0.038 s). This study suggested an improvement in both reaction time tests over a long time of specialized training program. Artistic gymnasts had overall developed results of the tests that might be derived from exercise induced arousal, concentration and movement complexity in this sport.

Operative Management of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Insufficiency in Adolescent Athletes

Background: The incidence of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries of the elbow has increased in adolescents over the past decade because of widespread participation in athletics and heightened awareness among physicians. Hypothesis: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction using the docking technique would result in a successful return to athletic activity in this age group. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Study participants were 55 skeletally mature adolescent athletes (mean age, 17.6 years; range, 15-18 years) who underwent UCL reconstruction between 2008 and 2010. While the majority of patients were baseball players (n = 47), there were 3 gymnasts and 5 javelin throwers included in the study. Each patient underwent UCL reconstruction utilizing the docking technique after an adequate trial of nonoperative management (mean, 5.8 months). At the latest follow-up, patients were evaluated to determine their ability to return to athletic activity. Clinical outcomes were classified using the Conway scale, the Andrews-Timmerman score, and the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) score. Results: At a minimum 2-year follow-up, 87% (48/55) of patients had excellent results using the Conway scale. Overall, there were only 2 poor results (3.6%) that were observed in patients with concomitant osteochondritis dissecans lesions of the capitellum. There were 4 postoperative complications in 4 patients (2 gymnasts and 2 javelin throwers) who developed ulnar neuritis after UCL reconstruction. The mean Andrews-Timmerman score was 83.6 ± 7.2 (range, 30-100), and the mean KJOC score was 88.0 ± 6.0 (range, 40-100). Conclusion: The docking technique results in favorable clinical outcomes in adolescent athletes with UCL insufficiency at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. Patients with concomitant intra-articular lesions should be cautioned preoperatively that they might experience inferior clinical outcomes. Postoperatively, adolescent gymnasts and javelin throwers may be at an increased risk for transient paresthesia of the ulnar nerve caused by increased stress on the medial elbow.

In-vivo biomechanical analysis of osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral trochlea

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humeral trochlea can occur among adolescent gymnasts or throwing athletes. However, the natural history and treatment strategy remain unclear because of its low incidence. The aim of this report was to determine the biomechanical influence of trochlear OCD on the elbow joint by analyzing three-dimensional in-vivo joint biomechanics in a trochlear OCD case.

Social influences, psychological need satisfaction, and well-being among female adolescent gymnasts.

Social influences, psychological need satisfaction, and well-being among female adolescent gymnasts.

Investigating eating disorders in elite gymnasts: Conceptual, ethical and methodological issues

Elite gymnastics, and other sports where athletes and coaches are particularly concerned with aesthetic considerations, weight and shape, are fields within which the risk of eating disorders may be unusually high. Adolescent gymnasts, developing their own sense of self, at a time of life where body image concerns are common, often compete at the very top of the sport with a need to maintain a body shape and weight optimal for elite performance. Research into this field should address the range of sociological and ethical aspects of eating disorders in elite sport, their prevalence as well as the ethos of the sport itself. This paper addresses a range of conceptual, ethical and methodological issues relevant to conducting research in this sensitive yet important field.

Case Report: Bilateral Proximal Epiphyseal Clavicular Stress-related Lesions in a Male Gymnast

Stress lesions of the upper extremity are relatively uncommon, and physeal stress lesions of the clavicle are rare. We present a case of bilateral physeal stress-related lesions of the proximal clavicular growth plate near the sternoclavicular joint in an adolescent male gymnast. A 13-year-old gymnast presented with a 3-week history of insidious onset of pain in the proximal clavicular area of his left shoulder. He had no pain at rest or at night. He recently had added a new maneuver to his routine. His radiographs were normal, but further study with CT scanning confirmed a stress lesion of his proximal clavicular physis. The lesion healed with time, and he returned to gymnastics with no symptoms. Approximately 5 months after the initial symptoms on the left side, he felt a pop and immediate pain in his right sternoclavicular joint area while doing a routine. Imaging revealed a chronic stress lesion of the proximal physis similar to that of the other side. The patient achieved healing with rest and returned to gymnastics with no limitations. Physeal stress-related lesions of the proximal clavicular physis have not been reported in the literature. Medial clavicle pain in adolescent gymnasts may be secondary to stress-related lesions of the proximal clavicular growth plate. Such lesions are rare.

Elite Male Adolescent Gymnast who Achieved Union of a Persistent Bilateral Pars Defect

An adolescent 15-yr-old male competitive gymnast presented to a university-based multidisciplinary spine institute with a persistent low-back pain for 18 mos. Although the results of x-rays were negative, his pain rendered him unable to compete in his sport any longer. A computed tomography scan was performed, which showed a bilateral pars fracture at L5, without spondylolisthesis. A nuclear medicine bone scan revealed negative findings, confirming chronic nonunion. The patient completed a 4-wk course of physical therapy 6 mos before our intervention, without any relief of pain or radiologic evidence of healing. The patient was treated with a bone stimulator for 4 hrs/day and was recommended to wear a warm-and-form-type brace. Isometric core trunk exercises were also initiated. Only after 6 wks of treatment, the subject showed clinical improvement at the follow-up visit. Computed tomography scan performed 12 wks after the initial scan showed complete union of the fracture correlating with clinical improvement. Two years later, the athlete remains completely pain-free, is training regularly, and is able to compete on a national and, possibly, international level.

Sternoclavicular Stress Lesions In An Adolescent Gymnast

HISTORY: A 13 year old level 7 gymnast presented with a three week history of insidious onset of pain in the proximal clavicular area of his left, non-dominant shoulder. He had no pain at rest or at night. He had recently added a new maneuver to his routine on the parallel bars. Radiographs were normal but further study with CT scanning was performed. The clavicle healed over time. About 5 months after the initial injury he felt a pop in his sternoclavicular (SC) joint area while doing a routine on the parallel bars. He had immediate onset of pain and swelling and could not continue. He again sought an evaluation to determine the nature of this injury. He had been in good health with no previous history of shoulder problems, systemic health problems, previous fracture or tumors. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Upon physical examination the patient appeared younger than his stated age but was otherwise normal in appearance. He had no atrophy but did have swelling at his right SC joint area. The swollen area on the right was firm, not mobile and nontender. His cervical spine examination was normal with no limitations of motion. He had full range of motion and strength in both shoulders. He was neurologically intact for sensation, motor and reflexes for both upper extremities. He had normal vascularity to both upper extremities with normal pulses and capillary refill. No provocative maneuvers could reproduce his pain. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: Fracture proximal clavicle Stress lesion proximal clavicle Tumor proximal clavicle Systemic arthritis both SC joints Congenital abnormality both SC joints TEST AND RESULTS: Left shoulder: Plain radiographs normal MRI suggests proximal humerus lesion Blood studies normal including rheumatoid screen and small cell tumor screen Right shoulder: Plain radiographs suggest possible abnormality proximal humerus CT scanning suggests that nonunion of physeal stress lesion FINAL WORKING DIAGNOSIS: Healed physeal stress fracture left proximal clavicle Nonunion physeal stress fracture right proximal clavicle TREATMENT AND OUTCOMES: Left physeal injury curtailed gymnastics for a month and no subsequent symptoms Right physeal injury returned to gymnastics with no limitations; follow up CT scan one year later showed continued nonunion at two years after injury

A longitudinal analysis of commitment among competitive female gymnasts

The purpose of this study was to examine the dynamic nature of commitment types among elite female gymnasts. We conducted a 1-year follow-up of gymnasts (Weiss, W.M., & Weiss, M.R. (2003). Attraction- and entrapment-based commitment among competitive female gymnasts. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 25, 229-247.) to determine (a) their participation status in relation to previous commitment type, (b) whether commitment types change over time, (c) whether commitment types differed in social influence, and (d) whether commitment types differed on level of sport commitment. Participants comprised adolescent gymnasts sampled 1 year earlier (full sample for first purpose; subsample for remaining purposes). Frequency data showed that 86% of the gymnasts were still competing 1 year later, and participation status was related to commitment type the previous year. A cluster analysis revealed the same commitment types for gymnasts in the sample at both years one and two: attracted, entrapped, vulnerable, and uninterested commitment. A total of 63.5% of gymnasts were classified in the same commitment profile while 36.5% “cluster hopped”. Attracted gymnasts reported greater parent and coach support, lower parent and teammate constraints, and higher level of commitment than entrapped gymnasts. Collectively, findings highlight the dynamic nature of sport commitment.

Arthroscopy and microfracture technique in the treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum: report of three adolescent gymnasts

The aim of this paper is to report on three cases of symptomatic osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum in adolescent gymnasts, two females and one male. In all the cases arthroscopic surgery was performed. During arthroscopy, loose osteochondral fragments were removed, the defect was debrided and microfractures were performed. All the three patients regained the full range of motion of the affected elbow, and returned to the high-level gymnastics within a period of 5 months. At 12 months follow-up, all the three patients remained symptomless and were participating in high-level gymnastics. A combination of arthroscopy and the microfracture technique is a reliable method with excellent short-term results in the treatment of the osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow.