Festival or championship? Gymnastics for all experiences

Abstract

Models for athlete development have prioritized sports experiences, including events. It is assumed that the variety of events instills in the experience of paradoxical situations, important in the permanence in sport and/or active life. This article discusses the lived experience perception by children in two gymnastics for all events with different biases: one competitive and the other demonstrative. Based on qualitative research, 29 children were interviewed using Focus Groups (n=8), and data analysis using Thematic Analysis. Furthermore, field notes by 4 coaches and reflective narrative from the Focus Group interviewer were considered for triangulation. Two themes were highlighted: a. intersubjective aspects and b. interrelationships. These themes were addressed in both events to a greater or lesser extent. In item a, commitment, aesthetic components, and anxiety were in both events, but overcoming and nervousness more prominent in the competition. In item b, the importance of the other/ group was evident, mostly because of the presentation than the type of event. Recognizing the sporting bias of a practice is, therefore, promoting events of different natures, as practitioners can presume high performance or an active life through sport.