Skateboarding could give women a mental health boost

Published on: Saturday, August 10, 2024

By: ETX Daily Up, FMT

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Skateboarding offers a unique space for young women to cultivate body self-compassion, find community, and enhance overall wellbeing. (Envato Elements pic)

The physical and technical feats of skateboarding are getting increased visibility in Paris this year, with the sport being part of the official Olympics competitions for just the second time. Now, new British research suggests it could also be beneficial to mental health.

This study, conducted by researchers at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) in England and published in Sage Journals, highlights the mental health benefits of skateboarding for young women.

The experts analysed data collected over a 20-month period, involving 48 female skateboarders aged between eight and 27. Data was collected through interviews and focus groups in both urban and rural settings.

"Skateboarding is often perceived as a risky and male-dominated activity, but it has the potential to support better physical and mental health in young women and girls," said Carrie Paechter, professor of childhood, youth and family life at NTU’s School of Social Sciences.

The participants all reported various benefits: a feeling of freedom, optimised concentration and a feeling of flow in their movements, as well as direct benefits for their mental health, such as stress reduction. They also reported increased body self-compassion and confidence as a result of skateboarding.

"We can see from the research that it offers a unique space for young women, who can be vulnerable in terms of mental health and body positivity, to cultivate body self-compassion, find community, and enhance their overall wellbeing," Paechter added.

Even at the international level, where the demands of the sport can create a stressful environment, young women find in skateboarding a space for "mutual support and encouragement". This community of skateboarders creates strong social bonds, an essential element in the construction of identity for young girls and teenagers.

"I hope this ethos continues and encourages more young women to skate so they can experience the trust in their bodies, social interconnectedness, and the excitement, joy, and calm of skateboarding," Paechter concluded.