Retirement
Conditions
Keywords
Gymnastics, Athletes, Body Image, Identity, Self, Retirement, Mental Health, Adaptation
Brief summary
Background. Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport characterized by high physical and aesthetic demands and typically early competitive retirement. In this context, athletic identity and body image play a central role during the athletic career and may be compromised after retirement, particularly in aesthetic disciplines. However, the relationship between these constructs in retired rhythmic gymnasts has been scarcely investigated. Objective. To analyze the relationship between athletic identity and body image in retired rhythmic gymnasts, in order to better understand the psychosocial factors influencing post-retirement adaptation. Methods. An observational, analytical, cross-sectional study will be conducted using a self-administered online survey targeting retired rhythmic gymnasts aged ≥18 years. The primary study variables will be positive body image and residual athletic identity. Additional independent and predictive variables will include sociodemographic characteristics and sport career-related factors (age, age at initiation in rhythmic gymnastics, duration of the athletic career, highest competitive level achieved, and satisfaction with the athletic career). A set of potential confounding or moderating variables will also be considered (time since retirement and type of sport retirement). Statistical analyses will include descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multiple linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Expected results. An association between residual athletic identity and body image after sport retirement is expected, moderated by time since retirement and type of retirement, with implications for identifying profiles of greater vulnerability and informing the design of preventive interventions.
Interventions
OTHERAdult retired rhythmic gymnasts
Adult retired rhythmic gymnasts who have completed their competitive athletic careers, regardless of the time elapsed since retirement and whether retirement was voluntary or involuntary.
Sponsors
University of Oviedo
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Are aged ≥18 years. * Are female. * Have practiced rhythmic gymnastics during their competitive stage at any competitive level. * Are retired from competitive practice at the time of participation. * Are able to report the time elapsed since retirement and the type of retirement (voluntary or involuntary). * Agree to participate by providing informed consent and completing the online survey.
Exclusion criteria
* Are not truly retired (i.e., maintain active competitive participation at the time of the study). * Have a time since retirement greater than 5 years. * Have incomplete questionnaires for variables essential to the analysis. * Provide clearly inconsistent or implausible responses in key variables (e.g., evident incompatibilities between age, age at initiation, and career duration) that preclude valid interpretation of the data.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement of body image | Screening visit | This variable will be assessed using the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), a validated questionnaire that measures appreciation of and a positive relationship with one's body at the present time. The scale consists of 10 items with Likert-type response options. The total score will be calculated as the sum or mean of the items, with higher values indicating greater body appreciation. |
| Measurement of residual athletic identity | Screening visit | This variable will be assessed using the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS-E), a widely used instrument to measure the extent to which athletic identity remains central to the self-concept after sport retirement. The scale provides a total score (and subscale scores, depending on the version used), with higher values reflecting greater residual athletic identity. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement of age | Screening visit | This variable, considered an independent and predictive factor, will be recorded in years. |
| Measurement of age at initiation in rhythmic gymnastics | Screening visit | This variable, considered an independent and predictive factor, will be recorded in years. |
| Measurement of athletic career duration | Screening visit | This variable, considered an independent and predictive factor, will be recorded in years from the onset of competitive practice until retirement. |
| Measurement of highest competitive level achieved | Screening visit | This variable, considered an independent and predictive factor, will be recorded as an ordinal categorical variable classified as regional, national, or international. |
| Measurement of satisfaction with the athletic career | Screening visit | This variable, considered an independent and predictive factor, will be assessed using a Likert-type scale, with higher scores indicating greater overall satisfaction with the athletic career. |
Countries
Spain
Contacts
CONTACTRubén Cuesta-Barriuso, PhD
Outcome results
None listed