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COVID-19 lockdowns had a negative impact on training practices and other fitness- and coaching-related aspects across many sports disciplines. This study analyzed the relationship between different training routines and performance, as well as the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries (MI) in young gymnasts following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample consisted of 67 artistic gymnasts (AG) from Campo Grande, MS, Brazil, aged 8 to 17 years. Participants were divided into two groups: G1, which included gymnasts in remote training, and G2, comprising gymnasts in face-to-face training. Subjects were assessed for anthropometric variables, flexibility, muscle power, and sensorimotor stability, and completed a questionnaire to record MI cases. A total of 34 MI cases were reported by 23 participants (34.3%), with the majority affecting the lower limbs. Eight individuals reported at least two retrospective MI cases. Additionally, G2 demonstrated higher muscle power, greater flexibility, and improved sensorimotor stability. Face-to-face training conditions were associated with at least a tenfold increase in the likelihood of MI. Weekly training time (exposure) was linked to a ~9% increase in lower limb MI, while factors such as age, dynamic balance, and training were directly associated with MI occurring during floor exercises.In conclusion, although regular face-to-face training was linked to enhanced motor performance, it was also associated with a higher prevalence of MI, particularly in the lower limbs. Floor exercises were the primary circumstances under which injuries occurred.

This study aims to analyze the specialized literature on the protocols, instruments, and techniques used to train and assess strength in gymnastics practitioners or athletes who are represented by the International Gymnastics Federation (Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique – FIG). The systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Systematic searches on the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, LILACS, SciELO, and SPORTDiscus databases were conducted using the following keywords: “assessment,” OR “measurement,” OR “evaluation,” AND “child*,” OR “young,” OR “adolesc*,” AND “athlete*,” OR “practitioner,” OR “gymnast*,” AND “gymnastic*,” OR “trampoline,” AND “muscle strength,” OR “muscle power,” OR “strength,” OR “power,” OR “concentric,” OR “performance,” OR “explosive strength,” OR “motor tests”. Studies included in this review address the assessment and training of strength in gymnastics or athletes. Fourteen studies assessing the physical capacity strength in practitioners or gymnastic athletes were the basis of this systematic review. These articles describe low-cost, easy-to-apply protocols and instruments performed in the training gym. The included articles focused on assessing the strength level of adolescent male and female practitioners or athletes for talent selection and detection, as well as lesion reduction. Despite the benefits of strength training, such as better performance and fewer injuries, in general, strength is not regularly assessed. Only studies encompassing artistic and rhythmic gymnastics were found.