William A. Mitchell

Bio: William A. Mitchell is an academic researcher from Harvard University. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 19 citations.

Injuries and training recommendations in elite rhythmic gymnastics

Abstract: Objective: To identify risk factors for injury in rhythmic sportive gymnastics and to provide recommendations for reducing the risk of injury. Methods: A one-year retrospective survey of injuries in twenty national-level rhythmic gymnasts (ages 14.8 to 18.8 years; mean age 17.1 years). Hours of rhythmic gymnastics (RG) training per week, minutes of stretching per day, and hours of conditioning per week, were analyzed as potential risk factors for injury. Main outcome measures were injuries that required time off, major injuries (at least 7 days off), injuries to muscle-tendon units, and fractures. Results: Thirteen (65%) of 20 gymnasts sustained timeloss injuries, and 4 gymnasts (20%) reported major injuries. Seventeen (85%) gymnasts reported muscle-tendon unit injuries and 5 (25%) suffered fractures. Sixteen (80%) of the gymnasts reported back pain or stress fractures of the back, 8 of whom required time off training. One gymnast (5%) incurred a concussion. Logistic regression indicated that rhythmic gymnastics training and stretching were associated with muscle-tendon unit injury. On multivariate analysis, stretching was found to be the only independent predictor of muscle-tendon unit injuries with each additional minute lowering the risk by approximately 10% (p ≤ 0.01). Conditioning and stretching were both independent predictors of fractures. The risk of fracture was estimated to increase by over 60% for each additional hour of weekly conditioning (odds ratio = 1.62; p = 0.03) and decrease by almost 20% for each additional minute of daily stretching (odds ratio = 0.81; p = 0.04). None of the variables studied were predictive of back pain or injury. Conclusions: Injuries in rhythmic gymnastics may be reduced by increasing the amount of time spent stretching per day (at least 40 minutes), and limiting conditioning to a maximum of 6 hours per week.

Recomendaciones para el entrenamiento y prevención de lesiones en gimnastas de rítmica de elite

Abstract: Resumen Objetivo Identificar los factores de riesgo en gimnastas de ritmica de alto nivel y aconsejar recomendaciones para prevenir el riesgo de lesiones. Metodos Encuesta retrospectiva de un ano de historial deportivo en 20 gimnastas que competian en el ambito nacional (media de edad, 17,1 anos; rango, 14,8-18,8 anos). Las horas de entreno por semana, los minutos de estiramientos por dia y horas de entrenamiento aerobico por semana se analizaron como un riesgo potencial de factores de riesgo para lesiones deportivas. La mayoria de lesiones registradas requeria dejar los entrenamientos (time off); las lesiones mas severas (minimo de 7 dias sin actividad deportiva) eran lesiones de partes blandas: tendon y/o musculo y fracturas. Resultados De las 20 gimnastas, 13 (65%) tuvieron lesiones que obligaron a dejar los entrenamientos y otras actividades deportivas, 4 (20%) fueron lesiones mas severas. Diecisiete (85%) contestaron que presentaron lesiones musculotendinosas y 5 (25%) sufrieron fracturas. Dieciseis sujetos (80%) de la muestra presentaron lumbalgia o fracturas de estres lumbar, 8 de los cuales requirieron reposo. Una gimnasta tuvo una conmocion cerebral. La regresion logistica indica que el entreno y los estiramientos en gimnasia ritmica estan asociados a lesiones de la union musculotendinosa. En el analisis multivariante se halla que los estiramientos eran el unico predictor independiente de las lesiones de la union musculotendinosa; con cada minuto adicional se disminuye el riesgo aproximadamente un 10% (p ≤ 0,01). Los ejercicios de estiramiento y de acondicionamiento son los 2 factores independientes de prediccion de fracturas. El riesgo de fractura fue estimado > 60% por cada hora semanal adicional de entrenamiento (odds ratio [OR] = 1,62; p = 0,03) y decrece casi al 20% por cada minuto adicional de estiramientos diarios (OR = 0,81; p = 0,04). Ninguna de las variables estudiadas fue predictiva de dolor o lesion lumbar. Conclusiones Las lesiones en la gimnasia ritmica se podrian reducir incrementando el tiempo que se dedica a los estiramientos por dia (al menos 40 min), y limitando el entrenamiento a un maximo de 6 h por semana.

Recomanacions per a l'entrenament i la prevenció de lesions en gimnastes de rítmica d'elit

Abstract: Objective: To identify risk factors for injury in rhythmic sportive gymnastics and to provide recommendations for reducing the risk of injury. Methods: A one-year retrospective survey of injuries in twenty national-level rhythmic gymnasts (ages 14.8 to 18.8 years; mean age 17.1 years). Hours of rhythmic gymnastics (RG) training per week, minutes of stretching per day, and hours of conditioning per week, were analyzed as potential risk factors for injury. Main outcome measures were injuries that required time off, major injuries (at least 7 days off), injuries to muscle-tendon units, and fractures. Results: Thirteen (65%) of 20 gymnasts sustained timeloss injuries, and 4 gymnasts (20%) reported major injuries. Seventeen (85%) gymnasts reported muscle-tendon unit injuries and 5 (25%) suffered fractures. Sixteen (80%) of the gymnasts reported back pain or stress fractures of the back, 8 of whom required time off training. One gymnast (5%) incurred a concussion. Logistic regression indicated that rhythmic gymnastics training and stretching were associated with muscle-tendon unit injury. On multivariate analysis, stretching was found to be the only independent predictor of muscle-tendon unit injuries with each additional minute lowering the risk by approximately 10% (p ≤ 0.01). Conditioning and stretching were both independent predictors of fractures. The risk of fracture was estimated to increase by over 60% for each additional hour of weekly conditioning (odds ratio = 1.62, p = 0.03) and decrease by almost 20% for each additional minute of daily stretching (odds ratio = 0.81, p = 0.04). None of the variables studied were predictive of back pain or injury. Conclusions: Injuries in rhythmic gymnastics may be reduced by increasing the amount of time spent stretching per day (at least 40 minutes), and limiting conditioning to a maximum of 6 hours per week.

Sports injuries, mechanisms, prevention and treatment.

Abstract: Part 1 Evaluation, training and special concerns: preseason evaluation conditioning and training athletic trainer environmental factors in athletic performance biomechanics of sports general principles of rehabilitation - soft tissue management medical problems of the athlete cardiovascular evaluation of the athlete drugs and sports special concerns of the paediatric athlete special concerns of the female athlete. Part 2 Sports-specific injuries: baseball basketball bicycle accidents boxing competitive diving cricket dance and the arts emergency medical care at sports events equestrian fencing football golf gymnastics ice hockey ice skating judo and karate lacrosse nordic and alpine skiing power lifting and body building racquet sports rugby running scuba diving soccer surfing swimming and diving track and field triathalon volleyball water skiing wrestling. Part 3 Management and treatment of systemic and regional injuries: diagnosis and treatment of dermatologic problems neurologic problems in sports head injuries treatment of sports eye injuries cervical spine and spinal cord injuries lumbar spine injuries shoulder injuries elbow injuries hand and wrist injuries knee injuries ankle and foot injuries abdominal injuries chest injuries general principles in rehabilitation, medical problems of the athlete, peripheral nerve injuries.

Injuries and illnesses among competitive Norwegian rhythmic gymnasts during preseason: a prospective cohort study of prevalence, incidence and risk factors.

Abstract: Objectives Rhythmic gymnastics is an Olympic sport that demands high training volume from early age. We investigated the extent of, and risk factors for, injuries among competitive Norwegian rhythmic gymnasts. Methods One hundred and seven of 133 (80.5%) female rhythmic gymnasts (mean age: 14.5 years (SD 1.6), mean body mass index: 18.9 (SD 2.2)) participated. All gymnasts completed a baseline questionnaire and the ‘Triad-Specific Self-Report Questionnaire’. Injuries, illnesses and training hours were recorded prospectively for 15 weeks during preseason using the ‘Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on Health Problems’ (OSTRC-H2). Results Response rate to OSTRC-H2 was 97%. Mean overuse and acute injury prevalence were 37% (95% CI: 36% to 39%) and 5% (95% CI: 4% to 6%), respectively. Incidence was 4.2 overuse injuries (95% CI: 3.6 to 4.9) and 1.0 acute injuries (95% CI: 0.5 to 1.6) per gymnast per year. Overuse injuries in knees, lower back and hip/groin represented the greatest burdens. Previous injury increased the odds of injury (OR 30.38, (95% CI: 5.04 to 183.25)), while increased age (OR 0.61 per year, (95% CI: 0.39 to 0.97)) and presence of menarche (OR: 0.20, (95% CI: 0.06 to 0.71)) reduced the odds of all injuries and substantial injuries, respectively. Conclusions Overuse injuries were common among Norwegian rhythmic gymnasts. Younger gymnasts had higher all-injury risk. Gymnasts who were not menstruating had higher substantial injury risk. Injury prevention interventions should start at an early age and focus on preventing knee, lower back and hip/groin injuries.

Musculoskeletal Pain in Gymnasts: A Retrospective Analysis on a Cohort of Professional Athletes

Abstract: Gymnastics athletes are exposed to a high risk of injury, but also of developing musculoskeletal pain. These data are still little investigated in the available scientific literature. An online survey was distributed to 79 professional athletes who practiced artistic and rhythmic gymnastics. The survey collected demographic and anthropometric data, information about the sport practice, the training sessions, the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain gymnastics-related, and lifestyle habits. Musculoskeletal pain had a high prevalence, involving 65 of 79 athletes (82.3%). A significant correlation was found between musculoskeletal pain and the duration of sports practice, both for general pain (p = 0.041) and for specific districts: right wrist pain (p = 0.031), left wrist pain (p = 0.028), right shoulder (p = 0.039), left hip (p = 0.031), right thigh (p = 0.031), and left knee (p = 0.005). Another statistical association was found between right wrist pain and BMI (p = 0.001), and hip pain and BMI (p = 0.030). Hours spent in a sitting position were also correlated with the incidence of pain (p = 0.045). Wrist pain and right shoulder pain had a statistically significant association with the age of the athletes (right wrist pain: p = 0.038; left wrist pain: p = 0.004; right shoulder pain: p = 0.035). The more the gymnasts practice this sport, the more likely they are to develop musculoskeletal pain. Increased age and a higher BMI, as well as daily prolonged sitting position, seem to be potential risk factors for the onset of musculoskeletal pain. Future studies could plan training strategies aimed at preventing musculoskeletal pain associated with gymnastics, in order to promote its further spread.

Perfil y diferencias antropométricas y físicas de gimnastas de tecnificación de las modalidades de artística y rítmica Anthropometric and physical differences of the gymnasts from the talent identification program of the artistic and rhythmic specialties

Abstract: The aim of our research was to describe the physical and anthropometric characteristics of 25 gymnasts from the talent identification program of the Extremena Gymnastics Federation. Subjects were classified according to their specialty: women's artistic gymnastic (WAG) and rhythmic gymnastics (RG). The dependent variables include body fat percentage through an electronic scale column with stadiometer (SECA 220cm); body circumferences through a plicometer (Holtain); body diameters and specific tests of flexibility through a tape (CM 3m); a heart rate through Ruffier test and a heart rate monitor (Polar F6); isometric strength of lower extremities through a load cell (SSMAJ 5000N); and jumping ability through a contact mat (Lafayette CVP A73). The results concluded that the WAG group got the best results in flexibility tests (p<.05). Also, the RG group had lower body fat percentage and greater SJ jump ability (r=-.774; p<.01) and CMJ (r=-.600; p<.05). However, the WAG group showed a negative relation between body mass index and flexibility (p<.01). We conclude that there are differences in body composition and physical tests between the specialties/styles of women's artistic gymnastics and female rhythmic gymnastics; we also found relationships between the performance of such tests and anthropometric variables.

Batería Funcional ARISTO en Gimnasia Rítmica: protocolo de test específicos para la evaluación de jóvenes gimnastas en un ámbito de entrenamiento saludable

Abstract: Resumen Objetivo Presentar una bateria de test para evaluar de manera especifica las diferentes capacidades implicitas en el rendimiento de gimnasia ritmica. Metodo La propuesta de los test se ha basado en un estudio del perfil motor de la gimnasia ritmica, asi como en una revision teorica de test existentes en este deporte y en especialidades gimnasticas similares con el fin de cubrir todas las capacidades relevantes inherentes en esta modalidad. Se realizo un estudio piloto con el objetivo de diagnosticar la viabilidad de la bateria de test y se consensuo con los 11 socios del proyecto europeo en el que esta enmarcado el trabajo («Asociaciones europeas en el ambito del deporte»). Por ultimo se configuro el soporte audiovisual del protocolo. Resultados Se obtuvo una bateria de 10 pruebas de facil aplicacion y que no reclaman un tiempo excesivo de los entrenamientos para su desarrollo. Igualmente supone un minimo gasto economico, ya que el material utilizado es el que se encuentran en la propia sala de entrenamiento. Su aplicacion permitira medir: equilibrio, flexibilidad activa, flexibilidad pasiva, agilidad, fuerza-resistencia, coordinacion y fuerza explosiva. Conclusion El protocolo ARISTO de gimnasia ritmica se podria considerar una herramienta util para facilitar una valoracion de calidad de los entrenamientos en jovenes practicantes de este deporte a nivel europeo.