In Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG), athletes can be coach dependent, becoming submissive and this scenario may reflect subordination, harassment and abuse. This is worrying, because gymnasts are usually children. However, we  argue that coach conduct depends on complex interactions. Thus, we analyzed how the coach-gymnast relationship is built. We used Pierre Bourdieu's categories to argue our reflections. We identified that the domination forms in the coach-gymnast relationship are responsible for shaping long-lasting dispositions, triggered by a process marked by the inculcation and embodiment of certain practices. Thus, gymnasts develop a class habitus that reproduces and legitimates the logic of this field. Our appropriation of Bourdieu's lens has shown that the gymnasts are at a disadvantage in relation to the coaches and to the system. Therefore, these structures should not demand early outcomes, but allow gymnasts to decide whether they want to continue in this “game of domination”.

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.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar os fatores que motivaram as crianças a iniciar a prática de GA. Entrevistamos ginastas iniciantes de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 7 e 10 anos. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas e, para o seu tratamento, recorremos à técnica de “Análise de Conteúdo”. Os resultados revelaram que, tanto motivos intrínsecos quanto extrínsecos atraíram os ginastas iniciantes para a modalidade. Contudo, observamos que os fatores extrínsecos exercem maior impacto, principalmente, devido à influência social da família e dos treinadores. Acreditamos que os resultados podem indicar caminhos para a atuação dos treinadores nesse estágio da formação esportiva e assim potencializar a adesão dos praticantes à Ginástica Artística.

Este artigo buscou compreender como a prática esportiva vivenciada no programa Curumim influenciou a relação dos antigos participantes do programa no Sesc Ribeirão Preto com o esporte. Como metodologia, utilizamos a Teoria Fundamentada; seis adultos que participaram do Curumim entrevistados. Durante a análise, cinco categorias foram estabelecidas, sendo a principal “Curumim como ‘uma janela que se abre’: descobertas, aprendizados e influências”. Por fim, foi possível evidenciar a influência do Curumim no envolvimento com a prática esportiva, contudo, este não foi um fator decisivo. Ainda, experiências marcantes demonstraram potencial para alterar o modo de ação de seus frequentadores e definir a escolha profissional dos participantes.

Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) in Brazil has been represented in the Olympic Games since 1980; however, a full team was classified only in 2004. Analyzing the Brazilian team’s participation over the last four cycles (2004-2016), we have identified several factors that implied in the WAG results. In this study, we discussed these factors and reflected on their contributions to the development of the gymnastics. The milestone of the 2001-2004 Olympic cycle is marked by the first participation of a full team, when foreign coaches came to lead WAG, the training system was reorganized, and the selected athletes began training in a centralized training system in Curitiba’s Training Center. The 2005-2008 Olympic cycle was more successful, as a consequence of the long-term planning. In the 2009-2012 Olympic cycle, the Brazilian WAG went through a period of turbulence, the training was no longer centralized, and the head coach of the Brazilian team returned to his home country. In the 2013-2016 Olympic cycle, with the headquarters of the 2016 Olympic Games in the city of Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian Olympic Committee devised strategies to boost the country’s success, which again drove improvement in the team results. We concluded that the last Olympic cycles represented a major advance in Brazilian WAG. Restructuring since 2000 has been paramount condition for the gymnastics discipline to reach the current level. The improvement in training and competition conditions, the structuring of a Training Center of excellence, and the multidisciplinary team support was essential for the preparation of Brazilian team in the Olympic Games.