Gymnastics and Health

What are the cons-indications to the practice of gymnastics?

grsDr Leglise: In gymnastics, there are seven different disciplines, each with its technical specificity, its health benefits and its cons-indications: the men's artistic gymnastics (6 tackles), female (4 area), rhythm (5 gears) , aerobics, trampoline, sports acrobatics and general gymnastics.

The against-indications may be total, absolute, final, temporary or limited to one type of exercise, a tackle. Thus a knee problem may prohibit floor exercises but allow the practice of pommel horse.

The spine is an anatomical region in gymnastics in high demand, particularly L5-S1 hinge (last lumbar vertebra-first sacral vertebrae). Violations of the vertebral body of the disk as well as the static disorder may be cons-indications to the practice in general or prohibit access to the highest level.

Artistic gymnastics, rhythmic welcome many young gymnasts and great vigilance is needed in fertile growing areas of the joints. These are usually temporary cons-indications or qualitative or quantitative driving restrictions.

In trampoline, sports acrobatics and sports aerobics, specific against-indications are the same as those mentioned above but it can be noted that the significant cardiovascular stress and especially the trampoline aerobics requires perfect preparation or integrity in terms cardiac and vascular.

General gymnastics presents no particular indications against; everyone can find the exercise to the best of its ability. This is the ultimate sport for all.

In summary, the cons-indications specific to the practice of gymnastics is mainly limited to the period of childhood and respect of growth; the spine must be monitored.

Place of medical monitoring is important but in all cases the educational value of sports ethics and the coach are essential.

Doctissimo: What are the health benefits related to the practice of gymnastics?

Dr. Leglise: All gymnastic develop neuromuscular qualities, sense of direction in space, "reflex" and make work all the joints. In young, gymnastics is the best educational method for early psychomotor development and high quality.

The aerobics, trampoline, bring more on the cardiovascular plan. General gymnastics practiced by young and old alike is an excellent method of maintaining physical fitness. To all these physical benefits, it must involve significant benefits psychologically (taste for effort, rigor, meaning the same group if paradoxically gymnastics is not a team sport).

Doctissimo: What are the most common injuries?

Dr. Leglise: The French Gymnastics Federation runs for 5 years a single statistic of its kind bringing together all accident reports of 200 000 licensees.

The average over the year is 0.8% of reported accidents with only 1/20 correspond to actual accidents. More than half are sprains, especially of the ankle, knee, elbow or wrist.

Gymnastics, some multisport insurance groups, is in 6th or 7th position in the hierarchy of accidents. Gymnastics is not classified as a "risk sport".

Doctissimo: What are the age limits?

Dr. Leglise: By age 3, children can practice "baby gym" awakening psychomotor associated with fun activities. Towards 9-10 years, it is possible to start the artistic gymnastics, rhythmic, trampoline, etc. in their classical context, regulated and adapted to the age and the psychological and physiological development. The high-level senior competition begins at 16.

Many gymnasts stop their career before age 30 but many can continue without limit in general gymnastics.

Doctissimo: What are the recommended protective équiements?

Dr. Leglise For the gymnast, these are hand protectors, forearm, etc. Other protections are at the level of training equipment or specific teaching materials.