Norman K. Poppen, M.D., on avoiding gymnastics injuries

The outstanding performance of the US gymnastics team in the 2012 Olympics is, undoubtedly, inspiring for many young gymnasts all over the country today. Orthopedic surgeons such as Norman K. Poppen, M.D., support the dreams of these young athletes by sharing advice whenever they can on how to continue engaging in the sport while avoiding unnecessary injuries.

Norman K. Poppen Image Credit: gymnastic.com

Gymnastics is a difficult sport and to be proficient at it, the athlete needs to dedicate many long hours to practice. The athlete’s body needs to get accustomed to performing the complex physical movements involved because all the weight-bearing routines and the various gymnastic moves place great strain on the body and put the gymnasts at risk for injury.

Norman K. Poppen Image Credit: lifeinthefastlane.com

Common injuries for this sport include tears of the tendons, elbow dislocations, wrist sprains in the upper body, and fractures, sprains, and strains that frequently occur in the lower body. Norman K. Poppen, M.D., advises young athletes and their guardians to create and follow strategies to prevent injuries. These strategies may range from vigilant spotting to ensuring that all pieces of equipment are properly maintained.

Norman K. Poppen Image Credit: healthyliving.azcentral.com

The athletes are thus advised to ensure that their bodies are always in optimum shape. To do this, they only need to stick to a balanced fitness program which includes aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility. Apart from these, stretching before and after sessions and keeping oneself well-hydrated are also highly recommended.

Using proper equipment is also important. For instance, securing proper gymnastics shoes which are geared toward a specific event is necessary to avoid injury and to ensure maximum performance.

More orthopedic advice from Norman K. Poppen, M.D., can be found on this Facebook page.