THE CHOICE OF THE LEOTARD – INFLUENCE OF CLOTHING ON PERFORMANCE JUDGMENTS AND AESTHETIC PERCEPTION

This study examines whether the type of leotard worn by female gymnasts affects judges' performance evaluations and aesthetic perceptions. In light of the ongoing debate on sexism in sport and athletes' autonomy over attire, the study compares traditional leotards with leg-covering unitards. Drawing on theories of cognitive bias and social information processing, it explores how expectations and stereotypes may influence judgments. In eight videos, gymnastics judges (N = 31) with varying judging experience and expertise rated the performance quality and aesthetic perception of the same gymnastic sequence performed by four gymnasts in two clothing conditions (i.e., 4 x 2). Results show no significant bias in judgments based on the type of leotard worn, regardless of age, judging experience, or expertise. The absence of judgment differences supports the view that allowing athletes to wear leg-covering unitards may not disadvantage them in competitions.