Famous gymnasts such as Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin inspire athletes around the country to head to the gymnastics gym to practice bar, floor, rings and tumbling routines. While gymnastics is an excellent way to stay fit and flexible, the sport is not without its inherent risks. The frequent impact borne by the wrist and forearm during gymnastics can result in tendinitis, a swelling of the tendons running through the forearm. By understanding the causes of what could be a permanent condition, you can work to prevent the problem and preserve your wrists and forearms.
Causes
Gymnastics is a high-impact sport that has specific effects on your body. When it comes to your forearms and wrists, they sustain impact when coming in contact with mats during skills such as handsprings and vaults. As your hands come in contact with and lay flat on the mat, your forearms sustain a certain amount of impact in supporting your weight, while your wrists are cranked into a stretching position. This results in pain, swelling and recurring injuries in the forearms and wrists, all factors contributing to tendinitis.
Symptoms
Tendinitis is characterized by the inflammation of tendons in the body. Forearm tendinitis results in stiffening and pain in the wrists. The swelling of tendons might also cause stiffness and pain in the fingers, making it difficult to create precise movements and complete difficult skills during gymnastics. Tendinitis also often occurs after a wrist injury that didn't receive proper recovery time, resulting in continued pain even after the injury has healed.
Treatment
If sore forearms and wrists are stopping you from performing your best when competing, it's important to give your body time to rest and recover. Applying ice helps to relieve pain and swelling. While a certain level of competition could require pushing through the pain and finishing, competing on sore or injured arms can cause further damage. Stretching and rehabilitation helps to restore strength to the forearm and reduce further problems.
Prevention
Forearm tendinitis can be a chronic condition if not cared for properly, so prevention is the best method in the fight against gymnastics injuries and pain. Always practice and compete on equipment in good repair. Properly padded mats help to protect your arms and wrists from the impact of gymnastics moves and skills. If you know you have forearm tendinitis, wearing a brace during practice and competition helps to stabilize your wrist and forearm in the proper position to avoid aggravation. Always stretch your forearms and wrists before competition to help warm and ready the muscles and tendons for exercise.
