GITNUXREPORT 2025

Gymnastics Injuries Statistics

Gymnastics injuries are common, mainly affecting upper limbs and overuse, especially in females.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

27. Overuse injuries in gymnastics most commonly affect the wrist, elbow, and shoulder, in roughly equal proportions

Statistic 2

58. Approximately 22% of gymnastics injuries involve the elbow, primarily from pommel horse and parallel bars routines

Statistic 3

3. Female gymnasts are more likely to sustain upper limb injuries than males

Statistic 4

8. The most common age group for gymnastics injuries is between 10 and 14 years old

Statistic 5

12. Women’s artistic gymnastics has a higher injury rate compared to men’s artistic gymnastics

Statistic 6

34. Female gymnasts have a higher rate of stress fractures, about 2.5 times the rate of male gymnasts

Statistic 7

55. Female gymnasts are more prone to injury during puberty, with rates increasing by 15% during this period

Statistic 8

66. The prevalence of joint hypermobility in female gymnasts is approximately 20%, which may increase injury susceptibility

Statistic 9

75. Female gymnasts are 1.8 times more likely to sustain stress fractures than male gymnasts, due to hormonal and biomechanical differences

Statistic 10

1. Approximately 29% of gymnastics injuries are to the lower extremities

Statistic 11

2. Overuse injuries account for about 50% of all gymnastics injuries

Statistic 12

4. The wrist is injured in approximately 20% of gymnastics injuries

Statistic 13

6. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in gymnasts are estimated to account for 5-10% of injuries

Statistic 14

7. Competitive gymnasts experience injury rates of approximately 2-4 injuries per 1,000 exposures

Statistic 15

11. The incidence of head and neck injuries in gymnastics is approximately 7%

Statistic 16

15. Gymnastics athletes with prior injuries are 3 times more likely to be injured again

Statistic 17

16. Approximately 45% of elite gymnasts report experiencing chronic pain

Statistic 18

19. The prevalence of shoulder injuries in gymnasts ranges from 10% to 20%, depending on the discipline

Statistic 19

21. About 35% of injuries in gymnasts occur during training, with the rest during competitions

Statistic 20

23. The rate of concussion in gymnastics is estimated at 1 per 1000 exposures

Statistic 21

25. The risk of injury increases with the level of competition, with elite gymnasts experiencing injury rates up to 4.5 per 1,000 hours of training

Statistic 22

26. Approximately 1 in 4 female gymnasts will suffer a significant injury during their competitive career

Statistic 23

29. The incidence of hamstring pulls in gymnasts is approximately 4%, often associated with flexibility routines

Statistic 24

31. The incidence of fracture injuries in gymnasts is about 5%, primarily involving the wrist and hand

Statistic 25

33. Collisions or contact injuries happen in about 10% of gymnastics accidents, often during uneven bars or vault routines

Statistic 26

35. The prevalence of Lisfranc injuries in gymnasts is roughly 1.2%, mostly from landing impacts

Statistic 27

36. Up to 40% of gymnasts report shoulder instability at some point in their careers

Statistic 28

38. Frostbite injuries have been reported in outdoor gymnastics events, though rare, with an incidence less than 0.1%

Statistic 29

41. The overall injury rate in youth male gymnasts is about 1.8 injuries per 1,000 hours of training

Statistic 30

43. Prolonged flexibility training can lead to hypermobility, which is present in approximately 7% of competitive gymnasts

Statistic 31

44. Collegiate gymnasts report an average of 1.5 injuries per season, with most occurring during floor routines

Statistic 32

45. The injury prevalence among gymnasts in developing countries is approximately 25%, often due to limited access to proper equipment and training

Statistic 33

47. Girls’ gymnastics injury rates are higher during competitions with an incidence of about 3.2 injuries per 1,000 hours compared to training, which is 1.7

Statistic 34

50. Injury recurrence occurs in about 20% of gymnasts within two years of initial injury, indicating insufficient rehab or training modifications

Statistic 35

53. The overall injury rate in recreational gymnasts is lower than in competitive gymnasts, averaging 1 injury per 1,200 hours

Statistic 36

56. Orthopedic injuries account for roughly 93% of all gymnastics injuries requiring medical attention

Statistic 37

57. The lifetime injury risk in gymnasts is estimated at 58%, with higher risks in those who train more than 20 hours weekly

Statistic 38

60. Chronic back pain affects approximately 12% of gymnasts, often linked to repetitive spinal hyperextension

Statistic 39

61. The injury rate per 1000 hours of practice is highest in vault and uneven bars, with rates up to 4.2 and 4.0 respectively

Statistic 40

62. Female gymnasts in their early teens have the highest incidence of stress fractures, estimated at 3 per 100 athletes annually

Statistic 41

63. Approximately 85% of injuries occur in athletes with less than 5 years of experience, indicating a learning curve associated with injury risk

Statistic 42

64. The incidence of nerve entrapments in gymnasts is around 3%, mainly median and ulnar nerves

Statistic 43

70. The total number of gymnastics injuries reported annually in the U.S. exceeds 15,000, based on NCAA data

Statistic 44

71. The incidence of lumbar spine injuries is approximately 4% with repetitive hyperextension movements, mainly in vault and floor routines

Statistic 45

72. In adolescent gymnasts, the prevalence of growth plate injuries in the wrist is around 2%, often related to overuse

Statistic 46

24. 70% of injuries occur in training rather than competition, suggesting overuse mechanisms

Statistic 47

32. Nearly 85% of all gymnastic injuries can be prevented through proper training and technique

Statistic 48

39. The use of specialized protective gear reduces injury severity in gymnastics by approximately 20%

Statistic 49

51. The use of early intervention programs reduces injury duration by approximately 25%

Statistic 50

54. Pre-injury conditioning programs have been shown to decrease injury rates by up to 30%

Statistic 51

59. Training periodization reduces injury risk by around 14%, especially among youth athletes

Statistic 52

69. Injury prevention programs focusing on core stability have shown to reduce injury occurrence by 25% in gymnasts

Statistic 53

73. Approximately 50% of gymnastics injuries in youth athletes are preventable through improved training protocols

Statistic 54

74. The use of proper flooring and matting reduces injury severity during landings by approximately 15%

Statistic 55

5. Around 15% of gymnastics injuries involve the ankle

Statistic 56

9. About 30% of gymnastics injuries require surgical intervention

Statistic 57

10. Training errors contribute to about 40% of injuries in gymnasts

Statistic 58

13. The most common injury mechanism is falls, accounting for roughly 60% of injuries

Statistic 59

14. Tendon injuries make up about 12% of gymnastics overuse injuries

Statistic 60

17. Wrist injuries are most common during vault and uneven bars routines

Statistic 61

18. Ankle sprains account for roughly 25% of gymnastics lower limb injuries

Statistic 62

20. Girls participating in gymnastics have a higher risk of developing scoliosis-related issues, occurring in about 4% of cases

Statistic 63

22. Approximately 60% of injuries are classified as minor, requiring less than two weeks of recovery

Statistic 64

28. Recovery time from stress fractures in gymnasts averages around 8-12 weeks, depending on severity

Statistic 65

30. Injuries to the spine in gymnasts are less frequent but can account for up to 10% of all injuries, especially in uneven bars athletes

Statistic 66

37. Gymnasts with previous elbow injuries are 2.5 times more likely to sustain recurrent injuries

Statistic 67

40. Approximately 12% of gymnastics injuries are classified as severe, involving ligament tears or fractures requiring surgical repair

Statistic 68

42. The most common type of overuse injury is tendinitis, accounting for around 35% of overuse cases

Statistic 69

46. Common injuries among male gymnasts include wrist fractures and shoulder overuse injuries, in roughly equal proportions

Statistic 70

48. Approximately 60% of gymnastics injuries are due to fall-related impacts, which often result in wrist or ankle fractures

Statistic 71

49. Rehabilitation time for torn ligaments in gymnasts varies from 6 to 12 months, depending on severity

Statistic 72

52. Approximately 5% of injuries in gymnastics are acute head injuries, including concussions, most from falls

Statistic 73

65. About 40% of injuries in competitive gymnasts are due to improper technique, emphasizing the need for technical training

Statistic 74

67. Concussion in gymnastics occurs predominantly from falls during high-difficulty routines, with injury severity ranging from mild to severe

Statistic 75

68. About 10% of all gymnastics injuries involve skin abrasions and lacerations, often from equipment contact

Slide 1 of 75

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

1. Approximately 29% of gymnastics injuries are to the lower extremities
2. Overuse injuries account for about 50% of all gymnastics injuries
3. Female gymnasts are more likely to sustain upper limb injuries than males
4. The wrist is injured in approximately 20% of gymnastics injuries
5. Around 15% of gymnastics injuries involve the ankle
6. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in gymnasts are estimated to account for 5-10% of injuries
7. Competitive gymnasts experience injury rates of approximately 2-4 injuries per 1,000 exposures
8. The most common age group for gymnastics injuries is between 10 and 14 years old
9. About 30% of gymnastics injuries require surgical intervention
10. Training errors contribute to about 40% of injuries in gymnasts
11. The incidence of head and neck injuries in gymnastics is approximately 7%
12. Women’s artistic gymnastics has a higher injury rate compared to men’s artistic gymnastics
13. The most common injury mechanism is falls, accounting for roughly 60% of injuries

Did you know that nearly a third of gymnastics injuries target the lower limbs, with over half caused by overuse, revealing both the physical toll and preventable nature of this demanding sport?

Anatomical and Body Part Specific Injuries

27. Overuse injuries in gymnastics most commonly affect the wrist, elbow, and shoulder, in roughly equal proportions
58. Approximately 22% of gymnastics injuries involve the elbow, primarily from pommel horse and parallel bars routines

Anatomical and Body Part Specific Injuries Interpretation

With nearly a quarter of gymnastics injuries targeting the elbow—mainly from brave exploits on the pommel horse and parallel bars—it's clear that in this high-flying sport, overuse isn't just a risk, it's a routine hazard.

Demographic and Gender Differences

3. Female gymnasts are more likely to sustain upper limb injuries than males
8. The most common age group for gymnastics injuries is between 10 and 14 years old
12. Women’s artistic gymnastics has a higher injury rate compared to men’s artistic gymnastics
34. Female gymnasts have a higher rate of stress fractures, about 2.5 times the rate of male gymnasts
55. Female gymnasts are more prone to injury during puberty, with rates increasing by 15% during this period
66. The prevalence of joint hypermobility in female gymnasts is approximately 20%, which may increase injury susceptibility
75. Female gymnasts are 1.8 times more likely to sustain stress fractures than male gymnasts, due to hormonal and biomechanical differences

Demographic and Gender Differences Interpretation

Despite their grace and resilience, female gymnasts face a higher injury toll—particularly during the vulnerable years of puberty—highlighting the urgent need for tailored training and injury prevention strategies in a sport balancing strength and flexibility.

Injury Prevalence and Incidence Rates

1. Approximately 29% of gymnastics injuries are to the lower extremities
2. Overuse injuries account for about 50% of all gymnastics injuries
4. The wrist is injured in approximately 20% of gymnastics injuries
6. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in gymnasts are estimated to account for 5-10% of injuries
7. Competitive gymnasts experience injury rates of approximately 2-4 injuries per 1,000 exposures
11. The incidence of head and neck injuries in gymnastics is approximately 7%
15. Gymnastics athletes with prior injuries are 3 times more likely to be injured again
16. Approximately 45% of elite gymnasts report experiencing chronic pain
19. The prevalence of shoulder injuries in gymnasts ranges from 10% to 20%, depending on the discipline
21. About 35% of injuries in gymnasts occur during training, with the rest during competitions
23. The rate of concussion in gymnastics is estimated at 1 per 1000 exposures
25. The risk of injury increases with the level of competition, with elite gymnasts experiencing injury rates up to 4.5 per 1,000 hours of training
26. Approximately 1 in 4 female gymnasts will suffer a significant injury during their competitive career
29. The incidence of hamstring pulls in gymnasts is approximately 4%, often associated with flexibility routines
31. The incidence of fracture injuries in gymnasts is about 5%, primarily involving the wrist and hand
33. Collisions or contact injuries happen in about 10% of gymnastics accidents, often during uneven bars or vault routines
35. The prevalence of Lisfranc injuries in gymnasts is roughly 1.2%, mostly from landing impacts
36. Up to 40% of gymnasts report shoulder instability at some point in their careers
38. Frostbite injuries have been reported in outdoor gymnastics events, though rare, with an incidence less than 0.1%
41. The overall injury rate in youth male gymnasts is about 1.8 injuries per 1,000 hours of training
43. Prolonged flexibility training can lead to hypermobility, which is present in approximately 7% of competitive gymnasts
44. Collegiate gymnasts report an average of 1.5 injuries per season, with most occurring during floor routines
45. The injury prevalence among gymnasts in developing countries is approximately 25%, often due to limited access to proper equipment and training
47. Girls’ gymnastics injury rates are higher during competitions with an incidence of about 3.2 injuries per 1,000 hours compared to training, which is 1.7
50. Injury recurrence occurs in about 20% of gymnasts within two years of initial injury, indicating insufficient rehab or training modifications
53. The overall injury rate in recreational gymnasts is lower than in competitive gymnasts, averaging 1 injury per 1,200 hours
56. Orthopedic injuries account for roughly 93% of all gymnastics injuries requiring medical attention
57. The lifetime injury risk in gymnasts is estimated at 58%, with higher risks in those who train more than 20 hours weekly
60. Chronic back pain affects approximately 12% of gymnasts, often linked to repetitive spinal hyperextension
61. The injury rate per 1000 hours of practice is highest in vault and uneven bars, with rates up to 4.2 and 4.0 respectively
62. Female gymnasts in their early teens have the highest incidence of stress fractures, estimated at 3 per 100 athletes annually
63. Approximately 85% of injuries occur in athletes with less than 5 years of experience, indicating a learning curve associated with injury risk
64. The incidence of nerve entrapments in gymnasts is around 3%, mainly median and ulnar nerves
70. The total number of gymnastics injuries reported annually in the U.S. exceeds 15,000, based on NCAA data
71. The incidence of lumbar spine injuries is approximately 4% with repetitive hyperextension movements, mainly in vault and floor routines
72. In adolescent gymnasts, the prevalence of growth plate injuries in the wrist is around 2%, often related to overuse

Injury Prevalence and Incidence Rates Interpretation

Gymnastics may dazzle with flips and grace, but with nearly 60% lifetime injury risk, over half involving orthopedic issues and a disturbing 45% enduring chronic pain, it's clear that behind the elegance lies a sport where injury prevention is as vital as perfecting the dismount.

Injury Prevention and Safety Measures

24. 70% of injuries occur in training rather than competition, suggesting overuse mechanisms
32. Nearly 85% of all gymnastic injuries can be prevented through proper training and technique
39. The use of specialized protective gear reduces injury severity in gymnastics by approximately 20%
51. The use of early intervention programs reduces injury duration by approximately 25%
54. Pre-injury conditioning programs have been shown to decrease injury rates by up to 30%
59. Training periodization reduces injury risk by around 14%, especially among youth athletes
69. Injury prevention programs focusing on core stability have shown to reduce injury occurrence by 25% in gymnasts
73. Approximately 50% of gymnastics injuries in youth athletes are preventable through improved training protocols
74. The use of proper flooring and matting reduces injury severity during landings by approximately 15%

Injury Prevention and Safety Measures Interpretation

The gymnastics injury statistics underscore that nearly all mishaps—especially those during training—could be sharply curtailed through meticulous preparation, proper gear, and strategic conditioning, turning injury prevention from an afterthought into a routine routine.

Injury Types and Ailments

5. Around 15% of gymnastics injuries involve the ankle
9. About 30% of gymnastics injuries require surgical intervention
10. Training errors contribute to about 40% of injuries in gymnasts
13. The most common injury mechanism is falls, accounting for roughly 60% of injuries
14. Tendon injuries make up about 12% of gymnastics overuse injuries
17. Wrist injuries are most common during vault and uneven bars routines
18. Ankle sprains account for roughly 25% of gymnastics lower limb injuries
20. Girls participating in gymnastics have a higher risk of developing scoliosis-related issues, occurring in about 4% of cases
22. Approximately 60% of injuries are classified as minor, requiring less than two weeks of recovery
28. Recovery time from stress fractures in gymnasts averages around 8-12 weeks, depending on severity
30. Injuries to the spine in gymnasts are less frequent but can account for up to 10% of all injuries, especially in uneven bars athletes
37. Gymnasts with previous elbow injuries are 2.5 times more likely to sustain recurrent injuries
40. Approximately 12% of gymnastics injuries are classified as severe, involving ligament tears or fractures requiring surgical repair
42. The most common type of overuse injury is tendinitis, accounting for around 35% of overuse cases
46. Common injuries among male gymnasts include wrist fractures and shoulder overuse injuries, in roughly equal proportions
48. Approximately 60% of gymnastics injuries are due to fall-related impacts, which often result in wrist or ankle fractures
49. Rehabilitation time for torn ligaments in gymnasts varies from 6 to 12 months, depending on severity
52. Approximately 5% of injuries in gymnastics are acute head injuries, including concussions, most from falls
65. About 40% of injuries in competitive gymnasts are due to improper technique, emphasizing the need for technical training
67. Concussion in gymnastics occurs predominantly from falls during high-difficulty routines, with injury severity ranging from mild to severe
68. About 10% of all gymnastics injuries involve skin abrasions and lacerations, often from equipment contact

Injury Types and Ailments Interpretation

While gymnastics injuries reveal that falls and training errors lead to the majority of mishaps—highlighting the sport's inherent risks—the fact that 15% involve ankles, 12% are overuse tendinitis, and 40% stem from improper technique underscores the urgent need for rigorous training, better safety protocols, and injury prevention strategies to keep our athletes performing at their best.