Child Suffers Hand Injury During Gymnastics Training

Case Overview

This case involves a 9-year-old boy who was injured after attempting a maneuver on a balance beam. The incident occurred at a gym that trains children in gymnastics. The boy was learning a new handstand move in a class of 10 students and 1 instructor. After a brief demonstration, the boy was called to the beam to execute the move. There was no spotter and the instructor was standing about 10 feet away. The boy attempted the handstand, fell, and suffered a head injury as well as a significant fracture of his wrist. The boy required surgery for the injury. An expert in gymnastics training was sought to speak to proper protocols in supervision and maintaining safety.

Questions to the Sports & Recreation expert and their responses

Do you have familiarity with the subject matter described above?

I have been the head coach of men's gymnastics at a university in the northeast for 40 years. I run a boys' gymnastics program geared toward competing in the U.S. Junior Olympic program. I'm familiar with the maneuver in question being executed in a floor exercise, but not on balance beam.

Have you ever had a child/patron suffer an injury like the one noted above?

I've never heard of an accident involving that skill before.

What could have been done to prevent the accident?

Skills on balance beam are often trained on the floor and then on a low balance beam before transitioning to a higher beam. If a child has executed a skill previously, a spotter may not be necessary. If a child is learning a new skill, for the first time or two a spotter may prevent injury. Adequate matting reduces the likelihood of injury in a fall but doesn't eliminate the chance.

About the expert

This expert has been involved with gymnastics as an athlete and coach for over 50 years. This expert received both his BA and his MEd in biomechanics from Temple University. He has coached at various tournaments, games, and world championships. This expert stays active in his field as a member of the College Gymnastics Association, U.S. Elite Coaches Association for Men's Gymnastics, Eastern Gymnastics Judges Association, USA Gymnastics Professional Member, National Gymnastics Judges Association, and the National Gymnastics Judges Association. Among his former roles, he has served as a gymnastics coach for Temple University?s men?s gymnastics team, the Men?s US Gymnastics Team, the Nikon International Tournament, and the Golden Sands International Gymnastics Tournament. Today, this expert is the owner and director of a gymnastics facility in Pennsylvania.