Hypothesis 1

 It was hypothesized that gymnasts would have greater disordered eating

symptoms during the competitive season than during the preseason (Dale & Landers,

1999). Gymnasts may experience pressures during the season leading them to experience

more disordered eating symptoms than during the preseason. Such pressures include:

making the lineup, qualifying to post-season competition, to have an aesthetically

pleasing appearance for judges, and coaches' expectations (James & Collins, 1997;

Scanlan, Stein, & Ravizza, 1991).

Hypothesis 2

 Second, it was hypothesized that gymnasts would have greater disordered eating

symptoms than controls during the competitive season, but they would not differ from

controls during the preseason (Dale & Landers, 1999; Davis, 1992; Hausenblas &

Carron, 1999; Smolak et al., 2000; Sundgot-Borgen, 1993). According to the hypothesis

that sport participation leads to disordered eating, gymnasts should experience an

increase in disordered eating symptoms when they become involved in their competitive

season (Dale & Landers, 1999). It is also assumed that disordered eating symptoms will

remain stable over time for women not participating in sport because they do not

experience the competitive pressures that may lead to disordered eating symptoms.