LACK OF FOOT SUPPORT PRESENTS UNIQUE RISK TO GYMNASTS

posted: Aug. 16, 2016.

 

Podiatrist, Dr. Thomas Elardo states, "combining beauty, grace, strength, and explosive power, women's gymnastics is one of the most anticipated sports of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Alas, gymnasts' feet are made of flesh and bone, and as such, are prone to a myriad of injuries.  Gymnastics is fairly unique in that it is performed with minor, if any, foot support. Therefore, the feet are even more at risk for injury during the various exercises. Nearly every activity in gymnastics is considered high impact and could result in some type of foot injury. Thus, gymnasts' feet take an awful lot of abuse, which can lead to both sudden traumatic injuries like sprains, ruptured tendons, and broken feet, ankles, and toes."