SPORT AND SOCIAL MEDIA: ANALYSIS OF THE BRAZILIAN GYMNASTICS FEDERATION’S INSTAGRAM

ABSTRACT

Among the possible languages of contemporary social media, the ubiquity of images has heightened the sense of on-line communication, and has been used to shape both personal identities and institutions’recognition. Such visual content is not only an artefact of social media isolated and individual, but surrounds itself with debates and discussions that involve political, legal, economic, technological and sociocultural ideologies. Based on Instagram Image and use of Cohen’s kappa for reliability and validity of data, this study analyzed 2679 photos that were posted on Instagram of the Brazilian Gymnastics Federation (CBG). As a result, we noticed the prevalence of artistic gymnastics (54,1%), followed by rhythmic gymnastics (31%), both within elite level focus (97%) specially on international events (59,6%) with greater appearance of athletes (66%). These findings reflect the need to review the use of social media in order to contemplate the broad actions of CBG, such as the diffusion of all gymnastics disciplines, as well as their different events at various levels of practice, giving visibility to all sports persons.

Keywords:
Internet; Social media; Gymnastics; Information services