Flexible Gymnastic Girl

Artistic gymnastics injuries have been the subject of several international medical studies, and results have indicated that more than half of all elite-level participants may eventually develop chronic injuries. In the United States, injury rates range from a high 56% for high school gymnasts to 23% for club gymnasts. However, the rates of injury for participants in recreational or lower-level gymnastics are lower than that of high-level competitors. Conditioning, secure training environments with appropriate landing surfaces, and knowledgeable coaching can also lessen the frequency or occurrence of injuries.
Age Eligibility Rules
For details about and criticisms of the age eligibility rules that apply in artistic gymnastics, see Criticisms of the present age eligibility rules in women's figure skating, tennis, and gymnastics.