Bungum, T. J., Wald, J. & Martin, S. (2000). Parental motivation for supporting their children's involvement in a private gymnastic program. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), Supplement abstract 330.

Parents (mainly well-educated mothers) of recreational and competitive gymnastic participants (N = 156; mostly female) completed a questionnaire about children's participation in the sport.

The ranking of parental reasons in both groups for encouraging participants was fitness (4.38), skill development (4.37), fun (4.36), affiliation (3.77), team membership (3.36), recognition (3.28), and competition (2.64). Parents of competitive gymnasts rated competition and team membership higher than did recreational sport parents.

Implication. Fitness, skill development, and fun are the three major factors perceived by parents as being important in gymnastic participation.

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