<![CDATA[Competitive and developmental gymnastics involve intensive training, performance evaluation, and, in several disciplines, explicit body-shape and weight expectations. These conditions may create psychological risks, but evidence is dispersed across disordered eating, body image, mental health, and psychological-skills research. This systematic review synthesised empirical evidence on psychological health in gymnasts across competitive, recreational, developmental, and post-competitive contexts published between 2021 and 2026. The review followed PRISMA 2020 and used Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed empirical investigations involving gymnasts and reporting at least one psychological or mental-health outcome. From 398 records identified, 11 duplicates were removed; 387 records were screened, 47 full texts were assessed, and 20 studies were included. Methodological quality was appraised using the MMAT 2018, with domain-level ratings retained for transparency and no study excluded solely because of quality. The synthesis identified three analytical themes: (1) disordered eating, body image, and weight pressure; (2) mental health and psychological consequences; and (3) psychological skills and regulatory resources. The evidence indicates that disordered eating and body-image concerns are concentrated in higher-pressure contexts, whereas adaptive self-talk, task-involving motivational climates, supportive coach relationships, and regulated perfectionism are potential protective resources. Because most studies were cross-sectional and heterogeneous, the findings should not be interpreted causally and no meta-analysis was conducted. Prospective longitudinal, intervention, and multi-method studies are needed, particularly in under-represented disciplines and among male gymnasts.]]>
Copyrights © 2026
