The Importance of Landing Biomechanics in Injury Prevention in Artistic Gymnastics: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Landing movements in floor gymnastics expose athletes to high mechanical loads that substantially increase the risk of lower extremity injuries. Biomechanical analysis has been widely used to identify risk factors associated with injury; however, the available evidence remains fragmented, with inconsistent findings across kinematic, kinetic, and neuromuscular parameters. A comprehensive synthesis of biomechanical landing characteristics specific to floor gymnastics is lacking. This systematic literature review aimed to synthesize biomechanical evidence on landing mechanics in floor gymnastics and to identify key biomechanical factors associated with injury risk to inform injury prevention strategies. A systematic search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus following PRISMA guidelines. Peer-reviewed studies examining biomechanical aspects of landings in floor gymnastics were included. Extracted data were categorized into kinematic, kinetic, and neuromuscular variables, and methodological quality was assessed using a standardized assessment tool. The reviewed studies consistently identified high vertical ground reaction forces, excessive knee valgus angle, reduced hip and knee flexion, and inadequate eccentric control during landing as key biomechanical risk factors for injury. However, substantial heterogeneity in landing tasks, measurement protocols, and analytical methods limits comparisons between studies. Few studies examined multi-joint interactions or directly linked biomechanical findings to injury prevention interventions. Conclusions. This review provides the first integrated synthesis of landing biomechanics specific to floor gymnastics by mapping kinematic-kinetic risk factors and highlighting the absence of a standardized assessment framework and intervention-oriented research. Biomechanical analysis is crucial for understanding injury mechanisms in floor gymnastics landings. Future research should adopt standardized multidimensional biomechanical models and longitudinal or intervention-based designs to translate biomechanical evidence into effective injury prevention programs.