I think, suffice to say, we just don't have enough data about whether training quad/3A is harmful to your other jumps. The sample size, especially for girls, isn't large enough. They do increase chances of injury and are quite a pounding if your body isn't fully formed yet. On the other hand, training a quad of a specific jump can probably strengthen the corresponding triple (IIRC, Miki continued doing 4S in practices even after she stopped doing them in competition, and guys who have 4S seem to have stronger 3S than guys who only have 4T--e.g. Brian Joubert has a stronger 3S than Evgeni Plushenko...though maybe that's a bad example since Joubert didn't do many 4S).
Maybe injuries just depend on the person and their training conditions. Mao seems to be fine, while other girls who don't do 3A have ended up with plenty of injuries. Not surprised to hear about Japanese ladies who want 3A or quads though. They're kinda known for this--Mao, Miki, Midori, ect.
Maybe injuries just depend on the person and their training conditions. Mao seems to be fine, while other girls who don't do 3A have ended up with plenty of injuries. Not surprised to hear about Japanese ladies who want 3A or quads though. They're kinda known for this--Mao, Miki, Midori, ect.