Many suspect that competitive female gymnasts risk loss of self esteem from failing at a seriously difficult sport.
But is that true?
SELF-ESTEEM AND TRAIT ANXIETY IN GIRLS PRACTICING COMPETITIVE AND RECREATIONAL GYMNASTICS
by Donti O., Theodorakou K., Kambiotis S., Donti A.
I found this study difficult to read, but here’s the gist of what I got.
They assessed 161 female competitive and recreational gymnasts (10-12 years old), looking for differences between competitive and rec in these two areas:
1) self-esteem
2) trait anxiety
… there was no difference in most of the subscales of self- esteem (athletic competence, physical appearance, behavioural conduct, and global self-esteem), except for the subscales of scholastic competence, and social acceptance, which had lower values for the competitive girls.
Competitive gymnasts did report more ‘anxiety’ than did Rec kids.
Read the full study (PDF) for yourself.
That comes from Vol. 4 Issue 1: Science of Gymnastics Journal.
Those findings don’t mean much to me as a coach. Competitive kids are normally higher achieving kids. Mild anxiety might be a good thing. A motivator.
This girl, a competitive gymnast, will almost certainly gain self-confidence from participating in the sport.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 