There are no official guidelines to assist in answering this question. I will search for relevant research papers instead.
From the Research
Gymnastics and Hernia
- There is limited research directly linking gymnastics to hernia, but studies suggest that athletic activities involving twisting, cutting, and kicking can contribute to the development of sports hernias 1, 2.
- A study on patient perception of abdominal wall herniation found that 25.6% of patients believed their hernia was due to gym activity, which may include gymnastics 3.
- Sports hernias are often caused by posterior inguinal wall weakening from excessive or high repetition shear forces applied through the pelvic attachments of poorly balanced hip adductor and abdominal muscle activation 4, 1.
- Gymnastics, like other athletic activities, may involve repetitive twisting and cutting movements that could contribute to the development of sports hernias.
Risk Factors
- Repetitive twisting, cutting, and kicking movements, common in athletic activities like gymnastics, can increase the risk of developing a sports hernia 1, 2.
- Poorly balanced hip adductor and abdominal muscle activation can contribute to the development of sports hernias 4, 1.
- Gym activity, which may include gymnastics, has been identified as a potential precipitating factor for abdominal wall hernia development 3.
Treatment and Management
- Surgical intervention is often recommended for sports hernias, but conservative management, including core muscle retraining programs, may be a beneficial treatment option in some cases 5.
- A structured and comprehensive rehabilitation program addressing core muscle weakness and contributing impairments adjacent to injury may allow return to sport in some athletes 5.