Gymnastics Medicine

Book excerpt: This book presents the most current information on the treatment of athletes involved in gymnastics, a multifaceted sport with unique demands on its participants that can lead to a myriad of medical conditions and injury patterns. It opens with an introduction to the history of gymnastics and a brief review of gymnastics disciplines and events. An overview of gymnastics injury epidemiology lays the foundation for the rest of the book. Growth and developmental issues are also discussed in detail, as many young gymnasts train long hours before or during puberty. Concepts related to the biomechanics of gymnastics, common overuse and acute musculoskeletal injuries, psychological issues, concussions, as well as rehabilitation and return-to-play principles round out the presentation. Throughout, there is the emphasis that young athletes are not simply small adults, and that they have unique needs and considerations for evaluation and treatment. Written and edited by experts in the field, some of whom are former gymnasts themselves, Gymnastics Medicine covers all of the relevant information on evaluation, management and return-to-play for sports medicine physicians, advanced practice providers, physical therapists, athletic trainers, exercise scientists, and mental health professionals.