Factors Influencing Gymnastics Sport Development in Zambia: A Case of Bauleni Compound in Lusaka District

The study investigated into factors influencing gymnastics sport development in Zambia a case of Bauleni compound in Lusaka district. It was guided by the following research objectives; to identify social factors that influenced individual participation in gymnastic as a sport, to establish the economic factors influenced gymnastic sport in Zambia and to investigate the physical factors influenced gymnastic sport. The development of gymnastic sport was very cardinal because of the benefits experienced by gymnasts which includes increased flexibility, enhanced general health, as well as improved postural control. Descriptive research design was used where both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed. The estimated total population size was 456 youths from Bauleni compound in Lusaka district of Lusaka province and out of which a sample size of 120 respondents were selected using Snowball method. The questionnaire was the instrument used to conduct the study that comprised closed ended and Likert rated scales format questions. There was a 100% return rate and the data was coded and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version twenty-five (SPSS V25). The findings of the study were that the youths in Bauleni compound are not involved in any form of sporting activity including gymnastics. There is lack of physical education (PE) in relation to the gymnastics in schools and that the environment plays a significant role in contributing to a decrease in gymnastics as a sport. Parents have also a significant role to play in influencing their children’s sport and physical participation by emphasizing on the academic pathway. Traditional structure of family (father and mother) has a more positive influence on sport and recreation participation of children, than a non-traditional family (single parent family, or guardians) that is predominant in Bauleni compound. Lack of facilities and equipment for the sport and no proximity to sporting facilities was another challenge noted in Bauleni compound. The researcher made the following recommendations; introduce sports education including gymnastics through physical education (PE), during the teacher-parents meetings (TPM) learners should perform some gymnastics as to develop the sport aimed at providing the significance of gymnastics to their children and also for health, socioeconomic gain and development of sports.