| In every sport--not just gymnastics--there stands the | | | | sport,and every gymnast, whether they are a |
| riskof injury, no matter how adept or flexible your | | | | preschooler or aprofessional, should do them before |
| gymnasthappens to be. The sport requires a lot of | | | | starting any strenuousactivity. This includes jogging, |
| psychologicaland physical preparation, in part because | | | | speed walking, andstretching -- anything to get the |
| it is extremelyrigorous, and in part because it | | | | blood moving and theheart pumping. Believe it or not, |
| demands a higher level ofskill than most other sports. | | | | a good stretch decreasesthe risk of a strained or |
| The complexity that routinesentail increases the risk | | | | pulled muscle, and it actuallyfeels good. If you're |
| of painful injury and fatigue ifproper preparations are | | | | training with your young gymnast athome or |
| not taken to ensure all-aroundsafety. | | | | otherwise on your own time, it's advisable to be |
| The most common injuries to the body are those to | | | | agood role model and join them in their warm-ups. |
| the anklesand feet, the lower back, knees, hands, | | | | Turn onsome music and move too. It's a triple plus: |
| and wrists. Thesecan be due to overuse or simple | | | | you'll beshowing her or him how to properly warm |
| stress. The lower bodyinjuries are generally because | | | | up, that you areinterested in what they are doing, |
| of unbalanced landings,while the back experiences | | | | and you will be gettingyour heart rate going strong |
| strain when insufficientstretching has been performed. | | | | too. |
| Scrapes and bruises are tobe expected, even if your | | | | When your gymnast is out on the floor, make sure |
| gymnast is properly attired -- sosimply be prepared. | | | | that he orshe takes breaks for water frequently. |
| Any injury to a gymnast's body can bedetrimental to | | | | Hydration is key togood health. If he or she is |
| his or her performance in the future. | | | | sweating profusely,dehydration is possible, and that |
| Stiffness can result from lack of use of a limb or of | | | | too can be a disasterwaiting in the wings. |
| theback if he or she is put out of the game for too | | | | Beyond all of the hazards of gymnastics, there is |
| long--thatis, if the injury is serious. For the most part, | | | | treatmentfor any injuries received. Of course, if your |
| as aparent, you will have to deal with less serious | | | | gymnast isinjured severely, a doctor visit might be |
| injuries | | | | the best idea --or even the emergency room. |
| (hopefully), and you will not need to visit the | | | | However, that is simply commonsense. On the other |
| doctor'soffice to have them treated. | | | | hand, if your child is not injuredseverely, you may |
| In any case, the best course of action is indeed | | | | wish to take care of him or her yourself. |
| prevention. | | | | But whatever you decide to do, please understand I |
| The standard safety measures in any sport are | | | | am not adoctor and you should always consult your |
| simple andeasily implemented, most especially for | | | | family doctor ifyou have any problems or concerns. |
| gymnastics. | | | | For sprains, strains, bumps and bruises, you should |
| First, you will want to make sure that your gymnast | | | | useice for the first twenty four hours. Ice cubes in |
| wearsthe proper clothing. If he or she has long hair, | | | | aplastic bag with a facecloth or a hand towel |
| tie itback, braid it, or otherwise secure it. Do not | | | | wrapped aroundthe bag itself is sufficient if you do |
| allow themto wear clothing that is too loose or baggy | | | | not have a medicalice pack. Never place ice directly |
| and conduciveto tripping; the same goes for socks | | | | against skin - andnever ice for more than twenty to |
| and shoes - nothingthat will cause them to slide on a | | | | thirty minutes at a time. |
| nonporous surface. | | | | Three or four times in the first day after the |
| Remove all jewelry. Rings, for instance, can be | | | | injuryshould be sufficient. After that, gentle heat |
| caught onswelling fingers if one is sprained. Earrings | | | | compresseswill help to relax any muscle spasms or |
| can be tornfrom earlobes or carteliage in a mishap. | | | | pain that isn'ttaken care of with some kind of pain |
| Then, make sure that you and your gymnast takes | | | | reliever (consult adoctor before giving your gymnast |
| stock of thesurroundings. Wires from equipment can | | | | ANY medication). |
| trip or cut;running into poles or other gymnasts can | | | | Hopefully, you'll never have to deal with injuries -- |
| be a disaster. Totrip on a mat that is higher than the | | | | butremember, prevention is better than anything else. |
| current surface mightbe painful. | | | | Keepthis in mind and be safe. |
| Next, have them warm up. Warmups are vital to any | | | | Good luck! |