Background. The main objective was to find out which musculoskeletal system problems (pain and/or injuries) are the most common among girls of elementary school age who engage in gymnastic sports at an elite level. We were also interested in the influence of the success of girls in gymnastics competitions on problems of the musculoskeletal system. In connection with the pain and injuries of the musculoskeletal system, we asked whether the gymnasts were monitored professionally on the medical side, whether they regularly engaged in primary or secondary physiotherapeutic care. Methods. The data were obtained by combining qualitative and quantitative research in the form of a structured interview and a questionnaire. Retrospective data were collected. The research group consisted of 58 girls (average age 13.5 years) engaging in gymnastic sports at an elite level. Results. A musculoskeletal system problem occurred in 98% female gymnasts during their elementary school age. Their lower limbs, specifically the knees and ankles, appeared to be the most susceptible parts of the musculoskeletal system. Multiple musculoskeletal system problems were more frequent than single isolated problems. As far as the correlation between the incidence of pain/injury and the girls’ individual performance level is concerned, gymnasts assuming non-medal positions had a higher incidence of pain and injuries than the medal-winning gymnasts. The higher incidence of injuries in non-medal gymnasts compared to medal gymnasts was confirmed by statistical analysis. Physiotherapeutic prevention, whether primary or secondary, was given a minimum number of gymnasts. Conclusion. The results of this study demonstrate a high susceptibility to painful conditions and injuries especially of lower limbs of elite level gymnasts at their younger school age. It also proved statistically significant that gymnasts who are worse off with performance always have a higher incidence of problems with the musculoskeletal system. These results are also probably due to the fact that most of the interviewed gymnasts are not in physiotherapy or other professional care.

Department of Physiotherapy Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Charles University Prague Czech Republic

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