Injuries of the spine sustained during gymnastic activities.

Between 1954 and 1984, 38 patients were seen as a result of gymnastic activities. Thirty three were men, five were women, and their ages ranged from 12 to 54, the mean age being 20. Thirty one had spinal injuries (28 in the cervical region, three in the thoracolumbar region), two no definite injury, and for five the information was incomplete. The accidents occurred largely because gymnasts landed on their heads, the force being transmitted to the cervical spine. Most took place in gymnasiums and were caused by a failure of supervision.