(ETX Daily Up) – While skateboarding recently proved its worth at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games through its physical and technical feats, a British study suggests it could also improve the mental health of young women.
A study conducted by Nottingham Trent University (NTU) in England and published in Sage Journals highlights the benefits of skateboarding on the mental health of young women who practice it.
The researchers analyzed data collected over a 20-month period involving 48 female skateboarders aged 8 to 27. These participants were interviewed through interviews and focus groups, conducted in both urban and rural settings.
“Skateboarding is often seen as a risky and male-dominated activity, but it can improve the physical and mental health of young women and girls,” says Carrie Paechter, professor of childhood, youth and family life at NTU’s School of Social Sciences, in a communiqué.
The participants all reported various benefits: a feeling of freedom, a concentration maximale and fluidity in their movements, as well as direct benefits for their mental health, such as reduced stress. They also reported increased body self-compassion and increased self-confidence through skateboarding.
“The study shows that skateboarding offers a unique space for young women, often vulnerable in terms of mental health and body positivity, to cultivate self-compassion, find community and improve their overall well-being,” explains the professor.
Even at an international level, where the demands of sport can create a stressful environment, young women find in skateboarding a space for mutual help and support. This community of skaters allows for the creation of strong social bonds, an essential element in the formation of identity among youth girls and teenagers.
“I hope this philosophy continues and encourages more young women to skate so they can experience the body confidence, social connectedness, and excitement, joy, and enthusiasm that skateboarding provides,” concludes Carrie Paechter.
