Female Collegiate Gymnasts’ Perceptions and Beliefs on Preventative Training Programs

Abstract

Gymnastics has the highest injury rate of all women’s collegiate sports, most occurring to the lower extremity. Preventative training programs (PTPs) effectively reduce lower-extremity injury rates. This study aimed to determine the perceptions and beliefs of female collegiate gymnasts regarding PTPs. Participants reported that they would be more likely to participate in a PTP if it resulted in fewer injury risk factors (p < .001), less likely to suffer an anterior cruciate ligament injury (p < .001), and fewer leg injuries (p < .001). Marketing and education of PTPs should be targeted and focus on what is most important to stakeholders to increase compliance.