PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Kirialanis, P
AU  - Malliou, P
AU  - Beneka, A
AU  - Giannakopoulos, K
TI  - Occurrence of acute lower limb injuries in artistic gymnasts in relation to event and exercise phase
AID  - 10.1136/bjsm.37.2.137
DP  - 2003 Apr 01
TA  - British Journal of Sports Medicine
PG  - 137--139
VI  - 37
IP  - 2
4099  - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/37/2/137.short
4100  - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/37/2/137.full
SO  - Br J Sports Med2003 Apr 01; 37
AB  - Objectives: To record the incidence of lower limb injuries (acute and overuse syndromes) in Greek artistic gymnasts in relation to the event and exercise phase. Methods: A total of 162 gymnasts (83 male and 79 female athletes) participating in the Greek artistic gymnastic championships were observed weekly for the 1999–2000 season. Results: Ninety three (61.6%) acute injuries and 58 (38.4%) overuse syndromes were recorded. The most common anatomical location was the ankle (69 cases, 45.7%), followed by the knee (40 cases, 26.5%). The rate of mild injuries was 26.6% (25 cases), that of moderate injuries was 44% (41 cases), and that of major injuries was 29% (27 cases). The incidence of injury to the ankle and knee was significantly higher in the floor exercise, especially during the landing phase, than in the other events. Conclusions: By its nature, gymnastics predisposes to acute injuries, but up to 75% are mild or moderate. Special attention should be paid to the floor exercise, especially the landing phase.