Gymnastics demands strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. Due to the high level of skill required, gymnastics can place significant stress on the body. Aside from this, many participants in gymnastics are children, meaning they are still growing and developing. This can in turn lead to imbalances, injuries and dysfunction in the body.

Here's how we can help gymnasts:

Injury Prevention:

• Movement Analysis: Analyse gymnastic movements to identify biomechanical issues and assess overall body mechanics.
• Strength and Conditioning: Develop personalised strength and conditioning programs to enhance muscle strength, stability, and prevent overuse injuries.
• Flexibility Training: Implement targeted stretching routines to improve flexibility and reduce the risk of strains.

Rehabilitation:

• Injury Assessment and Diagnosis: Promptly assess and diagnose injuries, such as sprains, strains, and stress fractures.
• Rehabilitation Exercises: Prescribe exercises to rehabilitate and strengthen affected areas, with a focus on a safe return to gymnastic activities.
• Gradual Progression: Develop rehabilitation plans with a gradual progression to ensure proper healing and prevent reinjury.

Shoulder and Wrist Care:

• Rotator Cuff Strengthening: Emphasize exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles, crucial for shoulder stability during various gymnastic movements.
• Wrist Strengthening: Implement exercises to enhance wrist strength and stability, considering the impact of weight-bearing activities on the hands.

Core Stability:

• Core Strengthening: Focus on developing core stability to support body control and prevent lower back injuries.
• Pelvic Floor Exercises: Include exercises to address pelvic floor strength and stability.

Joint Mobility:

• Joint Mobilisation: Utilise manual therapy techniques to enhance joint mobility and address any restrictions.
• Dynamic Warm-ups: Design dynamic warm-up routines to prepare the joints for the demands of gymnastics.

Balance and Coordination:

• Balance Training: Incorporate exercises to improve balance and proprioception, vital for precise movements on the beam and other apparatus.
• Coordination Drills: Develop drills to enhance overall body coordination and control.

Flexibility and Range of Motion:

• Dynamic Stretching: Integrate dynamic stretching exercises to improve flexibility and joint range of motion.

Cardiovascular Conditioning:

• Aerobic Fitness Programs: Design cardiovascular conditioning programs to support endurance during routines and training sessions.
• Interval Training: Integrate interval training to simulate the bursts of energy required in gymnastics.

Education:

• Injury Prevention Education: Educate gymnasts on proper technique, the importance of rest, and self-care practices to prevent injuries.
• Nutritional Guidance: Provide guidance on nutrition to support energy levels, recovery, and overall health.

In gymnastics, treatment is not only about treating injuries but also about optimising an athlete's physical condition to enhance performance and prevent future issues. If you are struggling with any injuries or mobility issues, or just want to perform better, make a time to speak to one of our practitioners and we’ll get you on the right track.