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Elite Female Gymnasts and Eating Disorders

Elite Female Gymnasts and Eating Disorders. By: Danielle MacMillan, Melissa White, & Sarah Isherwood. Overview. Introduction to the sport of gymnastic Problem Pressures Coaches Judges Family Role Models Personality traits of gymnasts Solutions. Gymnastics. Aesthetic sport

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Elite Female Gymnasts and Eating Disorders

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  1. Elite Female Gymnasts and Eating Disorders By: Danielle MacMillan, Melissa White, & Sarah Isherwood

  2. Overview Introduction to the sport of gymnastic Problem Pressures Coaches Judges Family Role Models Personality traits of gymnasts Solutions

  3. Gymnastics • Aesthetic sport • Requires a small figure to do the performance at an elite level • Very time consuming sport • Requires a lot of support from family

  4. Problem • There are many pressures associated with female gymnasts in achieving the ideal body type in order to successfully compete at an elite level. • These pressures can often lead the athlete towards an eating disorder which is very detrimental to their health.

  5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHZJjSrJ3X0

  6. “Female gymnasts adhere to the demands of image in both sport and society. With pink ribbons in their hair, make-up plastered faces, and petite frames, the desired little princess look is achieved. The girls have to always perform, act, and look a certain way. Sadly, what once were women athletes are now pretty little girls doing flips and spins” (Millar, 2002).

  7. Wasn’t always a problem • Larissa Latynina • Nadia Commaneci

  8. Pressures • Coaches • Judges • Family • Role models

  9. Pressures from Coaches • Coaches are a very important part of a gymnasts life. • Coaches can worsen their chances of life long problems. • Ex: Coach Karolyi

  10. Pressures from Judges • Judges are the people that the gymnast must impress the most. • The younger these gymnasts look the more apt they are to sway the judges in favour of them. • Christy Henrich

  11. Pressures from Family • Parents can get very caught up in their child's talent that they often forget about the true importance of the sport.

  12. Pressures from Role Models • Television • Teammates

  13. Personality Traits of Gymnasts

  14. Suggested Solutions • Higher minimum age required to participate. • Better technology. • Coaching education. • Programs to promote healthy lifestyle.

  15. Questions?

  16. References • Arsenault, H. (2009). Disordered Eating and Obsessive Exercise: The Dangerous Cycle. The Women’s Health Activist, 34(1), 8-9. • Benardot, D. (2006). Advanced Sports Nutrition. U.S.A.: Human Kinetics. • (Karin) de Bruin, A.P., Bakker, F. C., & Oudejans, R. R. D. (2009). Achievement goal theory and disordered eating: Relationships of disordered eating with goal orientations and motivational climate in female gymnasts and dancers. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 10(1), 72-79. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2008.07.002 • Krane, V., Waldron, J., Michalenok, J., &Stiles-Shipley, J. (2001). Body Image Concerns in Female Exercisers and Athletes: A Feminist Cultural Studies Perspective. Women in Sport & Physical Activity Journal. Retrieved from http://coachrey.com/volleyball-blog/wp- content/uploads/2011/01/Body-Image-Concerns-in-Female- Exercisers-and-Athletes.pdf • (K. Thompson, personal communication, March 11, 2011). • Lin, C. (News anchor). (2001). Whatever It Takes: Pursuing the Perfect 10 [CNN]. Atlanta: Time Warner Inc. • Millar, S. (2002). Thinness to success: eating disorders in elite female gymnasts. Canadian Woman Studies, 21(3), 122.

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