A few months ago we linked to the controversial Pediatrics journal article (PDF file) on gymnastics-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms over a 16-year period ending in 2005.
On average, 26,600 gymnastics-related injuries are treated by emergency room physicians every year, a rate of about 5 injuries per 1,000 participants. While only 3 percent of the patients were admitted to the hospital, many of the injuries were still serious: nearly half were strains or sprains and nearly a third were fractures or dislocations. Most were to the shoulders, arms and wrists, but a frightening 13 percent involved the head and neck. …
The findings were contested by USA Gymnastics. For one thing, they included all injuries: backyard trampolines, cheer, street tumbling, etc.
There was no breakdown for those who were training on proper equipment under a qualified coach.
Interestingly, more girls are taken for medical care than boys.
Seems the media panic is over now. This updated article offers a much more balanced perspective.
In the absence of firm data about the best age to start competitive sports, the solution may not be to discourage young athletes from working out too much, but instead to encourage them to try out more sports. The journal Pediatrics reported last year that young athletes who participated in a variety of sports had fewer injuries and continued longer than those who specialized before puberty.
Early Focus on One Sport Raises Alarms – NY Times
Gymnastics Coaching.com 