FIG Athlete Development 3

Question 1

Persistent dorsal wrist pain in a young gymnast who does heavy weight-bearing on the hands most likely suggests stress injury to which structure?

Accepted Answer

The distal radial growth plate

Answer

Repetitive axial loading can cause distal radial physeal stress, often called 'gymnast's wrist'.

Question 2

Low back pain that worsens with repeated hyperextension (e.g., walkovers) in a young gymnast should raise suspicion of:

Accepted Answer

Spondylolysis

Answer

Repetitive spinal extension can cause a stress fracture of the pars interarticularis (spondylolysis).

Question 3

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) results primarily from:

Accepted Answer

Inadequate energy intake relative to exercise expenditure

Answer

RED-S occurs when energy availability is too low to support both training and normal body functions.

Question 4

Which sign should prompt a coach to refer a female gymnast for medical evaluation related to low energy availability?

Accepted Answer

Absent or irregular menstrual periods

Answer

Menstrual dysfunction is a key warning sign of low energy availability and bone health risk.

Question 5

A gymnast shows declining performance, persistent fatigue, mood changes and disturbed sleep despite continued hard training. This most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Overtraining syndrome or non-functional overreaching

Answer

Prolonged performance decline with fatigue and mood disturbance signals inadequate recovery relative to load.

FIG - International Gymnastics Federation Coach Certification Practice Test

FIG - International Gymnastics Federation Coach Certification Practice Test

FIG Athlete Development 3