Are there any long-term health issues that can stem from mens gymnastics?”
The effect of injuries and reinjuries over time from gymnastics leads to increased osteoarthritis (OA, or “wear-and-tear” arthritis), and other joint problems and increased back and shoulder trouble. Thus, arthritis and separation in the shoulders, chronic back pain, and knee, ankle and wrist problems are what many male gymnasts face as they age. While not usually a devastating problem, osteoarthritis and these other painful conditions can make life much less pleasant and can cause the former gymnast to limit certain activities and make other life style adjustments. This can at times lead to depression, as well as health effects from medications such as NSAIDs and steroids used to ease the pain of the condition —————————————————– BACKGROUND There are two forms of injury common in gymnastics: either gradual (overuse) or sudden (acute). The acute injuries are more likely to be reported, but the gradual injuries are just as important, if not more so, in
