Residual Athletic Identity, Body Image, and Emotional Symptoms in Retired Rhythmic Gymnasts
ConditionRetirement
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexFemale
Age18+
SponsorUniversity of Oviedo
About this trial
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.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
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.
Disqualifiers
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.
Trial population
Retired gymnasts with different levels of residual athletic identity (low versus moderate/high), as well as comparisons according to type of retirement (voluntary versus involuntary) and time since retirement, adjusting for emotional variables such as anxiety and depression.
Trial design
Design model
Cohort
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Treatments tested in this trial
Adult retired rhythmic gymnasts
Other interventionAdult retired rhythmic gymnasts who have completed their competitive athletic careers, regardless of the time elapsed since retirement and whether retirement was voluntary or involuntary.
Treatment groups
100 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupGroup A: Observational group1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Measurement of body image
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.
Time frame
Screening visit2
Measurement of residual athletic identity
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.
Time frame
Screening visitSecondary outcomes
1
Measurement of age
This variable, considered an independent and predictive factor, will be recorded in years.
Time frame
Screening visit2
Measurement of age at initiation in rhythmic gymnastics
This variable, considered an independent and predictive factor, will be recorded in years.
Time frame
Screening visit3
Measurement of athletic career duration
This variable, considered an independent and predictive factor, will be recorded in years from the onset of competitive practice until retirement.
Time frame
Screening visit4
Measurement of highest competitive level achieved
This variable, considered an independent and predictive factor, will be recorded as an ordinal categorical variable classified as regional, national, or international.
Time frame
Screening visitOther outcomes
1
Measurement of time since retirement
This variable, considered potentially confounding or moderating due to its possible effect on both residual athletic identity and body image, will be recorded in years.
Time frame
Screening visit2
Measurement of type of sport retirement
This variable, considered potentially confounding or moderating due to its possible effect on both residual athletic identity and body image, will be recorded as a dichotomous qualitative variable categorized as voluntary retirement or involuntary retirement (due to injury or other reasons).
Time frame
Screening visit3
Measurement of anxiety
This variable, considered potentially confounding or moderating due to its possible effect on both residual athletic identity and body image, will be assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). This instrument consists of two independent subscales measuring state anxiety, understood as a transient emotional condition, and trait anxiety, reflecting a stable tendency to experience anxiety. Each subscale provides a total score, with higher values indicating greater anxiety levels.
Time frame
Screening visit4
Measurement of depressive symptoms
This variable, considered potentially confounding or moderating due to its possible effect on both residual athletic identity and body image, will be assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). This questionnaire measures the severity of depressive symptomatology in adult populations and provides a total score reflecting symptom intensity, with higher scores indicating greater severity.
Time frame
Screening visitSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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