Motor Creativity and Self-Efficacy in Young Gymnasts: Expertise Differences

Abstract

The expression of original and functional motor actions (e.g. motor creativity) has been associated to various self-concept constructs such as self-efficacy (Richard et al., 2018). The aim of the present study was to investigate how motor creativity and self-efficacy could change according to gymnastics practice years. Thirty-five young gymnasts (N = 17 élite; N = 18 recreational) participated in the study. Gymnasts performed the motor creativity tests (Bertsch, 1983) and they were administered the self-efficacy in physical activities inventory (Morano et al., 2019). Analyses of variance showed significant differences in all creativity dimensions (i.e. fluency, flexibility and originality) with flexibility showing the lowest differences between groups. Furthermore, élite gymnasts showed higher values both in bench than in floor and hoop creativity tasks, than recreational group. Significant differences between groups emerged in self-efficacy levels too, with élite gymnasts showing higher values than recreational gymnasts. Finally, creativity and selfefficacy resulted more related in élite gymnasts than in recreational ones. Motor creativity interventions could help both élite and recreational gymnasts to perform a greater variety and adaptability of movement solutions to achieve a task goal also in advancing technical expertise.

Analysis of the Scientific Production in Artistic Gymnastics, and in the Men's and Women's Modalities

“…WAG includes the floor, vault, balance beam, and uneven bars, while MAG encompasses the floor, horizontal bar, parallel bars, vault, rings, and pommel horse (FIG -Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique, 2016a, 2016b. The execution of acrobatic and aesthetic routines in various apparatuses demands cognitive and generative components more akin to the arts than traditional sports (Barker-Ruchti, 2008;Pero, Mallia, Capitani, & Scibinetti, 2022).…”