Gymnastics is a challenging sport that places substantial pressure on teenagers. Most psychologists agree that team sports and moderate exercise are beneficial for children, according to the textbook "Child Psychology." However, sports that consume all of a child's time and socially isolate them can have severe negative effects. Many child experts have expressed concern about the effects gymnastics has on teens' health and behavior. Gymnastics frequently requires a hefty time commitment. When this occurs, teens can suffer. Parents should encourage their teen to engage in gymnastics as a hobby a few hours each week, but discourage her from making gymnastics the center of her life.
Self-esteem
Much research indicates that sports participation improves teens' self-esteem, according to "Child Psychology." Working with other people to succeed at a task is highly beneficial. However, when teens become obsessed with a sport at the expense of all other pursuits, their self-esteem can plummet. Children who suffer from low-self esteem might engage in drug use, promiscuous sex and truancy, according to "Child Psychology." Because gymnastics requires that participants devote themselves fully to the sport, gymnasts are especially susceptible to the problems and behaviors associated with low self-esteem. Parents of gymnasts should encourage their teens to base their self-worth on internal attributes. When children base their self-esteem on their success and failure in gymnastics, their psychological well-being frequently suffers, according to the website Gymnastics Rescue.
Perfectionism
Joan Ryan's book, "Little Girls In Pretty Boxes," explains that perfectionism is a common trait among gymnasts. Small amounts of perfectionism are associated with high self-esteem and excelling in school, according to "Child Psychology." All people fail sometimes, but perfectionists believe that failure is unacceptable. This makes them more likely to harm themselves as punishment for poor performance through actions such as self-mutilation, excessive exercise and drug use.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are more common in gymnastics and ballet than in other sports, according to "Child Psychology." These sports place an emphasis on obtaining a small body frame and tend to attract anxious perfectionists who are more prone to developing eating disorders. Anorexia is an eating disorder in which a person starves herself, eating far fewer calories than she needs to remain healthy. Bulimia, conversely, occurs when a person overeats and then purges the food by vomiting or using laxatives. Some gymnasts also engage in compulsive exercise as a form of weight loss. This exercise, especially when combined with an eating disorder, can have disastrous health consequences, including heart trouble, endocrine system problems, hair loss and seizures. According to the textbook "Biology: Life on Earth With Physiology," the endocrine system secretes hormones that regulate many of the body's functions, so endocrine problems are especially dangerous.
Isolation
Gymnasts who want to make it to the top tiers of their sport must spend the majority of their time practicing. Some gymnasts drop out of school and use tutors to make more time for gymnastics. The large quantities of time gymnasts spend practicing often isolates them from friends and family. Gymnasts also can lose interest in school and other hobbies. Parents never should allow their teen's entire life to become focused around gymnastics.
References
- "Little Girls In Pretty Boxes"; Joan Ryan; 2000
- "Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology"; Gerald Audesirk, et al.; 2008
- "Child Psychology: Development in a Changing Society"; Robin Harwood, et al.; 2008
- Gymnastics Rescue; Support a Young Gymnast
