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Medical Illness in Gymnasts

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Gymnastics Medicine

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Abstract

Gymnasts, like other athletes, may develop a number of medical illnesses. These illnesses can include infections, respiratory conditions, diabetes, and rhabdomyolysis. Few studies, however, have been done in this specific population on many of these conditions. The most common infections in gymnasts include upper respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, infectious mononucleosis, and skin infections. Dermatologic conditions can also occur in gymnasts. Because artistic gymnasts swing on bars and rings, they may develop rips on their hands. Athletes who participate in sports that encourage leanness, such as gymnastics, are also at high risk for the female athlete triad and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). The female athlete triad consists of low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density. Eating disorders may also be associated with the female athlete triad and RED-S. Therefore, medical providers should be aware of the signs associated with these potentially dangerous conditions. Finally, due to training indoors and sometimes having poor nutrition, gymnasts are also at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    Aubrey Armento

  2. Children’s Hospital Colorado, Sports Medicine Center, Aurora, CO, USA

    Aubrey Armento

  3. Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Sports Medicine Center, Aurora, CO, USA

    Emily Sweeney

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Correspondence to Aubrey Armento .

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  1. Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital Colorado Sports Medicine Center, Aurora, CO, USA

    Emily Sweeney

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Armento, A., Sweeney, E. (2020). Medical Illness in Gymnasts. In: Sweeney, E. (eds) Gymnastics Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26288-4_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26288-4_6

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-26287-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-26288-4

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