If an injury does occur, proper treatment will help you return to the mat, bars, and beams faster. For acute injuries like sprains and strains, follow the RICE method:
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation
You may need to seek physical therapy for help to restore your strength, flexibility, and function. Your physical therapist will design a program appropriate for the injury and can recommend cross-training exercises to maintain your fitness levels while you’re recovering.
For more severe injuries, like fractures, dislocations, head injuries, or ACL tears, seek medical intervention. Do not attempt to work through the pain, as this can make your injury worse and lengthen recovery time.
Aoki says mental health is another important aspect of a gymnast’s overall health, and an athlete should seek help if they are struggling.
“It is extremely difficult to recover or perform up to expectations when an athlete is having difficulty coping with underlying stress, anxiety, or depression,” Aoki says. “Especially in an individual sport like gymnastics, it is important to make sure our athletes are appropriately addressing mental health.”
