Gymnasts are exposed to a high incidence of impact landings due to the execution of repeated dismount\r\nperformances. Biomechanical research can help inform recent discussions surrounding a proposed rule change in\r\npotentially injurious gymnastic dismounting. The review examines existing understanding of the mechanisms\r\ninfluencing the impact loads incurred in gymnastic-style landings achieved using biomechanical approaches.\r\nLaboratory-based and theoretical modelling research of inherent and regulatory mechanisms is appraised. The\r\nintegration of the existing insights into injury prevention interventions studies is further considered in the\r\nappraisals. While laboratory-based studies have traditionally been favoured, the difficulty in controlling and isolating\r\nmechanisms of interest has partially restricted the understanding gained. An increase in the use of theoretical\r\napproaches has been evident over the past two decades, which has successfully enhanced insight into less readily\r\nmodified mechanisms. For example, the important contribution of mass compositions and ââ?¬Ë?tunedââ?¬â?¢ mass coupling\r\nresponses to impact loading has been evidenced. While theoretical studies have advanced knowledge in impact\r\nlanding mechanics, restrictions in the availability of laboratory-based input data have suppressed the benefits\r\ngained. The advantages of integrating laboratory-based and theoretical approaches in furthering scientific\r\nunderstanding of loading mechanisms have been recognised in the literature. Since a multi-mechanism\r\ncontribution to impact loading has been evident, a deviation away from studies examining isolated mechanisms\r\nmay be supported for the future. A further scientific understanding of the use of regulatory mechanisms in\r\nalleviating a performerââ?¬â?¢s inherent injury predisposition may subsequently be gained and used to inform potential\r\nrule changes in gymnastics. While the use of controlled studies for providing scientific evidence for the\r\neffectiveness of gymnastics injury counter measures has been advocated over the past decade, a lack of\r\ninformation based on randomised controlled studies or actual evaluation of counter measures in the field setting\r\nhas been highlighted. The subsequent integration of insight into biomechanical risk factors of landing with clinical\r\npractice interventions has been recently advocated.
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