Body and Performance in Rhythmic Gymnastics: Science or Belief?

Abstract

This study aims to identify whether competitive rhythmic gymnasts feel body dissatisfaction and, if so, to analyze the factors related to its development and the implications for the gymnasts’ health. We interviewed 28 female gymnasts, aged between 13 and 16 years, from three teams in one Brazilian state. Based on the thematic analysis, we present the following themes: “Body, Performance, and Misconceptions in Rhytmic Gymnastics (RG)” and “Body weight in RG: Belief vs. Science.” Gymnasts’ dissatisfaction with their bodies appears to be influenced by their coaches, judges, and other athletes, who reinforce the existence of an established “ideal” body type in this sport. The athletes seem to believe that this body ideal would help them in the movements execution in the judges’ evaluation, and would, therefore, influence competitive performance. Their coaches used body mass measured on a set of scales as a reference for controlling and guiding weight loss. To lose weight at all costs, the gymnasts mentioned that they took laxatives and adhered to self-imposed calorie restriction. Excessive pressure to lose weight and obtain results could lead to or maintain body dissatisfaction and damage gymnasts’ health. Thus, coaches must be careful when associating weight loss with better performance; they need to consider the individuality of gymnasts and should not generalize them. Moreover, professional monitoring should be adopted, as well as the use of reliable and justified body evaluation methods. Preventive measures and coach education should also be implemented, and official agencies should regulate and punish any excessive and abusive practices.

In the pitfall of expectations: An exploratory analysis of stressors in elite rhythmic gymnastics

“…The participating parents were concerned about their children’s special diets and the expectations set by their sport; the coaches simultaneously expressed their expectation for and concern about keeping a lean shape; while the athletes felt unable to meet the sport-specific expectations or to exert adequate control over their weight. In line with previous findings, all three groups associated sport success with a lean shape ( Kaur and Koley, 2019 ; de Oliveira et al, 2021 ). The general belief that no athlete is good enough without a lean shape potentially affects athletes’ satisfaction with and confidence in their performance has also been highlighted in previous studies ( Sundgot-Borgen and Torstveit, 2004 ; Kong and Harris, 2014 ).…”

Sporting Mind: The Interplay of Physical Activity and Psychological Health

“…In sports disciplines requiring specific body mass and emphasizing physical image (e.g., gymnasts, combat sports athletes, middle- and long-distance runners, road cyclists, etc. ), the pressure for weight loss during tapering for competition could be a precipitating factor for the manifestation of inadequate and sometimes extreme dietary behaviors [ 288 , 289 ]. This pursuit of the ideal body is deeply linked to the propensity for sports to cause EDs, particularly bulimia nervosa, as athletes are not guided towards a healthy diet but rather urged to achieve a standardized, “model body” [ 289 ].…”

Assessment of Body Composition in Young Rhythmic Gymnasts

“…A study by Stirling et al (2012) encompassing eight elite rhythmic athletes who retired from the sport found that all these athletes cited changes in body composition as one of the most distressing aspects of the retirement transition. The fact is that body dissatisfaction and demands for a body ideal are present in RG, and can directly and negatively affect athletes (De Oliveira et al, 2021).…”