Pilates for Gymnasts: 5 Essential Exercises for Peak Performance
As a former collegiate athlete and Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in treating gymnasts, I’ve discovered that Pilates for gymnasts is the missing link between good performance and great performance. When one of my gymnasts came to me struggling with back pain while doing gymnastics, we incorporated specific Pilates exercises into her recovery plan. […]
Gymnastics Hip Injuries and Best Physical Therapy Exercises
As a gymnast, your hips are your powerhouse – they’re crucial for everything from your splits to your dismounts. Did you know that up to 91% of women’s gymnasts experience an injury per season, with gymnastics hip injuries accounting for about 5% of all gymnastics-related injuries. (1,2) Why? Because the extreme ranges of motion demanded […]
5 Common Gymnast Injuries: Expert Insights for Athletes and Parents
Gymnastics is an impressive and rewarding sport, yet it presents significant physical challenges to its participants. It is a high-impact sport with one of the highest injury rates among youth sports, particularly for female athletes. NCAA gymnasts have a higher injury rate than football players!1 As Doctors of Physical Therapy specializing in gymnastics, we often […]
Rise of Gymnast Lower Back Pain: Understanding Causes and Solutions
Gymnastics is a sport that demands high levels of strength and flexibility. Unfortunately, it comes with many challenges. This blog post will discuss gymnast lower back pain and why it is so prevalent. Some studies have shown that anywhere from 25% to 85% of gymnasts have lower back pain. [Reference: (1. Spine Injuries in the […]
