Author(s): STEINBERG, N., ELBAZ, L., BAR-SELA, S., DAR, G., NEMET, D., ELIAKIM, A., Institution: WINGATE ACADEMIC COLLEGE, Country: ISRAEL, Abstract-ID: 250

INTRODUCTION:
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is prevalent in high impact athletes. In gymnastics, intensive physical activity, including the repetition of extreme movements apply loads and strains to the lower extremities. The combination of high-impact forces and long practice hours along pubertal development increased the concerns for PFP in competitive young gymnasts. Our aims were to investigate the prevalence of PFP in rhythmic, acrobatic and artistic gymnasts; and to look at the relation between PFP and anatomical features (such as maturation, joints ROM, bone strength and muscle strength) in young gymnasts from those three different disciplines.
METHODS:
Data was collected via screening of 274 (aged 11.8±1.9 years) rhythmic, acrobatic and artistic compatetive gymnasts. They were asked to complete the Tanner questionnaire and to report their date of birth and menarche status. Each gymnast was assessed for anthropometrics, bone strength, muscle-strength (ankle plantar-flexors/dorsiflexors, knee extensors/flexors and hip abductors/adductors), hypermobility (using the Beighton 9-Point Test) and joints range of motion (ROM) (passive ankle dorsi flexion/plantarflexion, active hip extension, hip abduction, anterior split, posterior split and active trunk extension). Each gymnast underwent a physical examination conducted by the same physical therapist (specializes in sports medicine) for PFP.
RESULTS:
21.5% of the gymnasts had PFP, with significantly higher prevalence among artistic gymnasts (33.3%) compared to rhythmic gymnasts (21.4%) and acrobatic gymnasts (10.0%) (p=.008). No significant differences were found in age, menarche status and pubertal stages of gymnasts with and with no-PFP (p>.05). Univariate ANOVA showed discipline X PFP interaction for h/week of training this year (F(2, 267)=3.647, p=0.027). Logistic regressions showed that increased h/week of training last year (OR=1.062) and reduced muscle-strength [knee extensors (OR=0.853) and hip abductors (OR=0.673)] were significantly associated with PFP.
CONCLUSION:
The prevalence of PFP was high, especially among artistic gymnasts. Impact of training and reduced knee and hip muscle strength were associated with PFP in young gymnasts. The knowledge acquired from this study can be utilized by all those involved in gymnastics, as a means of designing injury-prevention programs and for modifying training programs for gymnasts’ specific body structures and current developmental stages. This combined with an increased understanding of factors related to injuries can help reduce musculoskeletal injuries among young female gymnasts.