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Gymnastic movements vary from one device to another; we must check for lower limb mobility, especially the flexion of the ankle and big toe in order to provide better absorption when hitting the ground or landing. The vaulting horse requires, among other things, intense muscle contractions and rapid effective impulsions. The landing requires absorption and flexibility of the Achilles tendon. Injuries to young athletes, in this tendon area, usually arise because of growth fractures (Sever's disease).
Frequently, due to the continuous rotations made in the same direction, an asymmetry arises from pelvis torsions and hyper-lordosis. Of course there exist a number of preventative factors which enable an athlete to limit the risk of injuries to the lower muscles and tendons: muscle warm-up before exercising, reinforcing the specific asymmetries of certain muscles, proprioceptive positioning with support and bevels.
Gymnasts generally practice their discipline intensively, usually 3 to 6 hours a day, and up to 5 days a week. With such strenuous training, muscles and tendons are required to get complete rest periods between sessions. Shoes with foot orthotics offer maximum articulation and muscle relaxation. During training as well as competition, a chamois slipper is accepted.
A recent study showed that 10 dancers whom we asked to wear shoes with foot orthotics for one hour during their lunch break, were able to end their day without fatigue or pain, which was not usually the case.
