On the correlation between sports participation and id’ing as trans, that’s an interesting question. While I don’t know of any official data, I have read blogs by formerly trans-identified women who discuss how being involved in physical activities helped them feel more grounded in (and accepting of) their bodies.
Anyone want to weigh in? Are there women (or parents of girls) on here who can speak to whether playing sports or doing other physical activities can help to dissipate dysphoric feelings?
I started lifting weights (more seriously at least than I had before) when I was going through my time identifying as trans. I figured it would bulk me up and make me look more “male” but found instead that it made *me* - sort of the core of me - feel strong, in a very deep and personal way. It shaped my body in unexpected ways, as well, and when I came out into the light of accepting myself as female, I was a little stunned to find how much I now appreciated my female body. It isn’t perfect and there are still days I’m very unhappy with it, but I can’t deny I’m proud of it and love it as well.
Becoming stronger and more muscular also helped me push past the limitations and expectations of society’s ideal of the “thin” woman. It feels rebellious, and that feels good.
It’s also a point of contact and commonality with other strong, athletic women. I can only imagine how affirming a women’s lifting or crossfit club would be, or any team sport. I was never really in the right frame of mind for it growing up, but with the right support I think it could be very affirming to someone who is struggling.