GENDER/SEX IDENTITY OF ATHLETES AND SEDENTARY PARTICIPANTS

Abstract

Are there differences in the process of construction of the gender/sex identity between athletes and non-athletes? This research aimed to compare the self-percept and self-quantified gender/sex identity of athletes from different sport modalities (180 men and 180 women) in relation to sedentary participants (22 men and 22 women) regarding to personality and childhood ludic preferences. Men perceived themselves as more masculine and women more feminine. There were more non-heterosexual women than men among the athletes. Men were more likely to enjoy breaking the rules and wanted to be a sports champion when younger. The female athletes who played more with boys in childhood rated themselves as more masculine, daring to transgress the boundaries of gender roles, which may have facilitated their interest in sports training.