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Overuse injuries are common among competitive rhythmic gymnasts, with an estimated weekly prevalence of 37% and with the knees, lower back, and hip/groin as the most common injury locations. Reduced physical capacity (e.g., strength and flexibility) has been hypothesized to contribute to the high prevalence of overuse injuries. The primary objective of this trial was to assess if exercises targeting reduced physical capacity in the knees, lower back, and hip/groin reduce the prevalence of overuse injuries compared with usual training. Twenty-three rhythmic gymnastics clubs were cluster-randomized to an intervention group (IG: 12 clubs and 119 gymnasts) and a control group (CG: 11 clubs and 86 gymnasts). Included gymnasts had to be ≥ 12 years of age and training ≥ 3 days per week. The IG performed a targeted injury prevention program (IPP) during training/warm-up for 8 months (November 2022 to June 2023). The CG performed usual training. The prevalence of overuse injuries in the targeted locations was measured monthly in both groups using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC-H2). The response rate to OSTRC-H2 was 94%. There was no difference in the prevalence of overuse injuries in the targeted locations between the two groups; odds ratio = 0.86 (95% CI 0.32 to 2.29); p = 0.77 for intervention vs. control. The results suggest that a targeted IPP alone is not enough to prevent overuse injuries in the knees, lower back, and hip/groin among competitive rhythmic gymnasts. Other measures (e.g., load management and proper training planning) might be targeted in future studies. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05506579., (© 2025 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Overuse injuries are common among competitive Norwegian rhythmic gymnasts with a mean weekly prevalence of 37% and with the knees, lower back and hip/groin as the most common injury locations (Gram, M., Clarsen, B., & Bø, K., 2021). It has been postulated that reduced physical capacity (e.g. strength, flexibility) in these areas contributes to the high prevalence of overuse injuries. Objectives: To assess if exercises targeting reduced physical capacity in the lower back, knees and hip/groin lower the prevalence of overuse injuries in these areas compared with no targeting exercises among Norwegian rhythmic gymnasts. Study design: Assessor-blinded cluster-randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-three Norwegian rhythmic gymnastics clubs were randomized to an intervention group (12 clubs, 119 gymnasts) and a control group (11 clubs, 86 gymnasts). Included gymnasts had to be ≥12 years of age and training ≥3 days per week. The intervention group performed a targeted injury prevention exercise program for lower back, knees and hip/groin during training/warm-up for 8 months (November 2023-June 2024). The control group continued RG training as normal. The prevalence of overuse injuries in the targeted areas were measured monthly in both groups using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC- H2). Results: The prevalence of overuse injuries in the targeted areas were similar in the two groups: Odds ratio = 0.93 (95% CI 0.40 to 2.15); P=0.87 for intervention vs control. Conclusions: The results suggest that a targeted injury prevention program alone is not enough to prevent overuse injuries in the knees, lower back and hip/groin among competitive Norwegian rhythmic gymnasts. Other measures to prevent overuse injuries (e.g load management, proper training planning and performing sport specific elements with correct technique) might be just as important as targeted exercises. Trial registration number: NCT05506579; ClinicalTrials.gov [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary incontinence (UI) is common among exercising women, but no studies have been found in rhythmic gymnasts. The aims of the present study were to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for UI in rhythmic gymnasts and the impact of UI on performance. This was a cross‐sectional study including all rhythmic gymnasts competing at the highest national and international level in Norway. One hundred and thirty‐three gymnasts from 22 sports clubs were invited to participate. Background data and possible risk factors were collected via electronic questionnaires. UI was assessed by Urinary Incontinence short form (ICIQ‐UI SF). The "Triad‐specific self‐report questionnaire" was applied to assess the female athlete triad. Joint mobility was assessed by Beighton score. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess possible risk factors. One hundred and seven nulliparous rhythmic gymnasts (80.5% response rate) from 21 sports clubs, with mean age of 14.5 (SD 1.6) years, participated in the study. Thirty‐four (31.8%) reported UI with 21 (61.8%), 3 (8.8%), 6 (17.6%), and 4 (11.8%) reporting stress, urgency, mixed urinary incontinence, and leakage for no obvious reason, respectively. BMI, hypermobility, menarche, disordered eating, and hours of training were not found to be risk factors for stress urinary incontinence. Twenty‐four gymnasts with UI (70.6%) reported incontinence to influence sports performance; 10 (29.4%) reported to be afraid of visible leakage and 5 (14.7%) that the leakage would happen again. Seventy‐four (69.1%) had never heard about the pelvic floor. In conclusion, UI is common in rhythmic gymnasts and may influence sports performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]