Huang Liyan Senior Sport Dietitian Singapore Sport Institute Singapore
| Sport
A WORKSHOP FOR COACHES BUILDING BODY CONFIDENCE & RESILIENCE IN GYMNASTICS
8 September 2022
Key Points Body Image What is it and why does it matter? The Development Body Confidence in Gymnastics Guidelines Supporting our Gymnasts To feel more body confident The Four Pillars Of body confidence
The Body Confidence in Gymnastics Guidelines
Developed in 2021 with the support of Singapore Gymnastics in collaboration with Australian Sports Dietitian Fiona Sutherland (Gymnastics Australia, The Australian Ballet School), SSI and NYSI
ENT s committed to g experiences and mnasts feeling good protect gymnasts where possible from negative experiences and harm.
What is it about?
The Guidelines
Designed to guide and support, rather than admonish or “police” people so that we can all learn together Offers “Four Pillars of Body Confidence” as a practical framework to move forward.
Aims to help create environments where your body is spoken about, spoken to and treated with respect and care
Designed to support gymnasts, coaches, staff and families in their roles
THE GUIDELINES
SUPPORT ENVIRONMENT GUIDE 4 PILLARS
TALKING ABOUT BODY IMAGE Why is it important?
part of mental, physical and social health Trainingplaysenvironmentarole
TALKING ABOUT BODY IMAGE
Why is it important? ROLE TO
Aesthetic sports are at greater
EVERYONE HAS A
Important
Physical Mental Social
risk
PLAY
What is it and why does it matter?
Body Image
The way we THINK AND FEEL about our body - usually weight, shape or appearance WHAT IS BODY IMAGE?
Most people experience a combination of both negative and positive body image over the day, week and over longer periods of time. When negative body image becomes more dominant, it can lead to
Anxiety (e.g.Inwaysthatnegativelyimpactourliveseatingdisordersandothersignificantmentalhealthconditions) Low mood Excessive comparing to others Changes in eating and exercise patterns
WHAT IS BODY IMAGE?
Life
sport
Friendships identity
Genetics & temperament
Past and current body shape &
Family
size canaffectbodyimageinbothapositive ornegativemanner
EXTERNAL upbringing experiences in
Involvement
Culture INTERNAL Age Gender
Positive thoughts about my body
POSITIVE BODY IMAGE
Negative thoughts about my body
NEGATIVE BODY IMAGE
Engaging in behaviours which support physical, emotional and social wellbeing
Negative feelings towards my body
Engaging in behaviours which do not support physical, emotional and social wellbeing
Positive feelings towards my body
I feel good in my body I feel proud of my body My body works well My body is strong and capable I eat to nourish and fuel my body I move because it feels good POSITIVEBODYIMAGE I feel bad/sad/upset/angry about my body I feel ashamed and embarrassed about my body My body does not work well I eat/don’t eat to change my body because I don’t feel good NEGATIVEBODYIMAGE
MENTI POLL On a scale from 0 to 10… How would you rate your body image? Extremely Poor Extremely Good CODE: 69 79 269 Scan to enter menti
MENTI POLL On a scale from 0 to 10… How do you think our gymnasts rated themselves? Extremely Poor Extremely Good CODE: 69 79 269 Scan to enter menti
OURGYMNASTS
30 Oct 2021
When we are feeling more positively towards our bodies - as they are, without necessarily changing themWe are more likely to eat well, move our bodies learn well and have good mental health morepositive
THE GOOD NEWS
well,
Observations
HOW BODY IMAGE DEVELOPS
Children can develop beliefs and attitudes about bodies as a result of messages they have absorbed from the Theworld.way
Comments and Comparisons
Direct Experience
E.g. Being weighed or measured
children internalise these messages (that this message is relevant to, or about me) can be related to personality type or biological disposition and also what they are exposed to.
Watching the behaviour of others and learning
either direct (to the child) or indirect (the child hears comment about someone else)
POOR BODY IMAGE Who is more likely to experience it? Weight class & Aesthetic sports Different from “stereotype” Ideal body within culture, sport or community BeliefSelf-criticalthatbehavior = body shape Genes (history of eating disorders and/or mental health conditions)
PERFORMANCE & HEALTH
Building resilience means we can cope better when something feels difficult
WHY DOES BODY IMAGE MATTER?
CONFIDENCE RESILIENCE
Building confidence means that we can trust ourselves, our choices and our bodies, both in sport and life
Mental health and body image is closely related to physical health and sports performance
Prevention and early intervention across whole groups and organisations is key to developing a shared understanding of what best supports athletes at all stages of development through the development of protocols and clear communication pathways.
No “one size fits all” approach
Credits: Howard Schatz
The 4 Pillars of Body Confidence Everyone has a role Language & communication matters Support positive nutrition Safety in tracking growth & development
MENTI POLL Guess our gymnasts' answers! CODE: 69 79 269 Who is most influential in the way I feel about my body? If I feel bad about my body, I would tell…..
menti
to
Scan enter
Who influences my body image?
OURGYMNASTS 30 Oct 2021
Coach Parents Teammates Anotherfamily member (e.g.sibling)
Friends Me
OURGYMNASTS
30 Oct 2021
30 Oct 2021
OURGYMNASTS
EVERYONE HAS A ROLE
Everyone has a role in contributing to an environment where gymnasts are - more likely to feel positively towards their body AND - less likely to feel negatively towards their body. For younger gymnasts, adults are particularly important role models.
Develop and communicate a confidential, open door, judgement-free policy
Parents & Families
Support each other
Focus on self instead of comparing with others Show body appreciation and respect
Coach and Support Staff
Be aware of the signs of negative body image Understand our own body story
Fellow gymnasts
Be aware of the signs of poor body image
Reflect on the way bodies are spoken about at home
Stay open to conversations about body image
Lead by example
WHAT IS MY ROLE?
Support gymnasts as they grow
Support your gymnasts natural body shape, and change over time
WHAT IS MY ROLE?
Open-door policy (confidential & judgementfree too!)
Support natural body shape & changes over time
Lead by example
Coach and Support Staff
Support all gymnasts natural body shape, and change over time
What we say, don’t say, do and don’t do really matters.
Develop and communicate a confidential, open door, judgement-free policy so that gymnasts feel safe and welcome to share their concerns in a way that they feel heard, respected and that their concerns will be taken seriously.
Everyone’s body is different, even if they are from the same family
Coaches, teachers, mentors, more senior athletes and parents can be very important role models for athletes
Negative food-related comments eg.
Comparing to others (looking)
We should be aware!
Changes in weight or shape (up/down
“that food will make me fat…”
You might hear
You might notice
Sucking in belly Changes in eating
Looking in mirror
Pulling at leotard
Body criticism, comparison or negativity
SIGNS OF NEGATIVE BODY IMAGE
Coach and Support Staff
WHAT CAN WE DO? Silence is usually not the best Are you ok? Reassurance to seek support Provide options Peer support Follow up Be curious, not judgmental Limits of safety and confidentiality Reduce sigma and secrecies Speak with psychologist or dietitian for support (anonymously) Helpline available Speak with gymnast privately Our attitude towards the gymnasts matters Have a support team for yourself "Peer support is ok, but always best to talk to an adult/professional"
LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION MATTERS
Talk to other adults, if necessary, privately
Both praise and criticism can be unhelpful
Support body trust through interoceptive (inner body) awareness
Offer corrections/ feedback with kindness and respect
Avoid comparisons
Pause and consider
Separate body image from body shape and performance
EXAMPLES
Offering feedback about skills in ways that does not mean that they must change their body to be better.
Less of....
“Everyone’s body is different and that’s ok, we are all different.”
“If your body was smaller/lighter then…..”
More of...
“You should/should not be eating that…”
“You finally got that skill, well done! You’ve been working hard on it, and must have become stronger.”
Will I ever be in a situation where I need to respond to someone else (e.g. gymnast or a coach) making a negative comment about the gymnast’s body?
MENTI POLL
Which of these statements are negative comments on body image?
CODE: 69 79 269
Scan to enter menti
►Keep conversations about food and eating positive and helpful ►Nutrition education and advice, including supplements, should be delivered by an experienced Sports Dietitian/Nutritionist only (or seek support) SUPPORT POSITIVE NUTRITION
Any assessment or tracking over time should only be conducted with a clear reason, alongside carefully assessing risks and benefits to the gymnast Safety includes the elements of: SAFETY IN TRACKING GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
1. Education 2. Consent 3. Privacy 4. Communication
Consent for body composition assessment is essential. Both gymnast and a parent / guardian must provide written consent for any gymnast under the age of 18. Only the gymnast must provide consent if they are 18 or over.
SAFETY IN TRACKING GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Consent
Education
Prior to any body composition assessments, an information session is to be held with gymnasts and parents (if gymnasts are under 18) to provide a full explanation and rationale of the process, and to seek fullyinformed consent.
Consent forms must be kept confidentially in a secure, locked location.
Consent must be sought for every new communication which varies from the consent given. E.g. If results are being requested by another health professional.
SAFETY IN TRACKING GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
All gymnasts have the right to privacy and to have a clear understanding about what, who, how and when their personal data is being shared.
Privacy
Communication
Any body-related results (weight, height, medical results) should only be shared with or between coaches if consent from both gymnast and parent (if applicable) is given.
