Overuse Injuries of Growing Bones: The Young Female Gymnast at Risk?

In brief: While exercise and physical training generally have a beneficial effect on bone growth, excessive physical loading may disrupt normal osseous development and inflict injury. The latter is particularly applicable to young female gymnasts, who seem predisposed because of their physical immaturity and for whom the injury rate is astonishingly high when they train and compete at advanced levels. This literature review indicates grounds for concern and points to the need for research that will provide a more extensive data base. It also indicates the need to examine the relationships between an injury and the athlete's characteristics, types of skills, and training regimens. The authors recommend a longitudinal approach to such research.