An examination of the cohesion-performance relationship in university hockey teams

Demographic, physiological, psychological, and on-ice performance indicators predict plus/minus status of recreational ice hockey players across a season

Little is known about physical, physiological, and psychological performance indicators predicting recreational athletes’ performance. This information may motivate players to become more active and inform coaches where to focus to build confidence, cohesion, and cooperation. This study investigated which performance indicators were related to the plus-minus statistic in German recreational ice hockey players (n = 20 players; 1 female; mean age = 36.25 ± 12.91 years; height = 178.85 ± 8.64 cm; weight = 81.36 ± 12.89 kg; mean years of ice hockey experience = 5.68 ± 8.93) over a season. Anthropometrics, psychological and on-ice performance data were collected mid-season and plus-minus were recorded after each game. Due to the small sample size, significance interpretations are not meaningful; therefore, Cohen’s guidelines were used for r = 0.2 (small), r = 0.5 (medium) and r = 0.8 (large). Medium size positive correlations of plus/minus were found for push-ups (r = 0.52) and squats (r = 0.37). Small positive correlations were found for shot speed (r = 0.33), competitiveness orientation (r = 0.28), and years on team (r = 0.23). Small negative correlations were found for win orientation (r = −0.30), body mass index (r = −0.28), task cohesion (r = −0.24), and percent body fat (r = −0.20). Some performance and psychological indicators are related to recreational ice hockey players’ plus-minus statistic over a season. Coaches and players of recreational teams should focus on muscular strength and endurance, shooting speed, body composition, and enjoying the challenge of competition while lowering their win orientation.

Fluctuations of the experience of togetherness within the team over time: task-cohesion and shared understanding throughout a sporting regular season

Based on a diagnosis action research design, the present study assessed the fluctuations of the team experience of togetherness. Reported experiences of 12 basketball team members playing in the under-18 years old national championship were studied during a four-month training and competitive period. Time series analysis (Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average procedures) served to describe temporal properties of the way in which the fluctuations of task-cohesion and shared understanding were step-by-step experienced over time, respectively. Correlations, running-correlations and cross-lagged correlations were used to describe the temporal links that governed the relationships between both phenomena. The results indicated that the task-cohesion dimensions differed mainly for shared understanding dynamics in that their time fluctuations were not embedded in external events, and that the variations in shared understanding tend to precede 'individual attractions to the task' variations with seven team practical sessions. This study argues for further investigation of how 'togetherness' is experienced alternatively as a feeling of cohesion or shared understanding. Practitioner Summary: The present action research study investigated the experience that the team members have to share information during practice, and the subsequent benefices on team cohesion. Results call for specific interventions that make team members accept the fluctuating nature of team phenomena, to help them maintaining their daily efforts.

A theory of multi-dimensional organizational innovation cultures and innovation performance in transitional economies

Purpose

This study aims to construct a theory of multi-dimensional organizational innovation cultures and innovation performance in transitional economies and explore the moderating effect of team cohesion on this theoretical relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data collected from 175 manufacturing firms in transitional economies, this study constructs a new theory framework of multi-dimensional organizational innovation cultures (knowledge sharing, organizational innovation atmosphere, team decision-making and organizational change) and firms’ innovation performance and also explores the moderating effect of team cohesion on this theoretical relationship.

Findings

The findings show that there are positive relationships between knowledge sharing, organizational innovation atmosphere, team decision-making, organizational change and innovation performance of firms. Furthermore, team cohesion plays a positive moderating role in this relationship.

Practical implications

It extends the general understanding of multi-dimensional organizational cultures management in the context of transition economies by exploring the differences between the Chinese and Vietnamese firms in terms of the impact of organizational innovation culture on innovation performance.

Originality/value

This study constructs a new theory framework of multi-dimensional organizational innovation cultures along the four dimensions of knowledge sharing, organizational innovation atmosphere, team decision-making and organizational change. These factors together have rarely been examined before. Hence, the findings extend existing research on organizational cultures management. Moreover, a new idea for this study is that the authors consider team cohesion as a moderating variable between organizational innovation culture and innovation performance of firms, hence providing both theoretical discussion and empirical validation of the impact of team cohesion on this relationship. It thus extends existing research on the team theory.

Cohesion and performance in soccer: A causal model

The conceptual model of sport cohesion that Carron developed describes the relationships between cohesion and performance including the antecedents and consequences of the variables. Although researchers have conducted a plethora of studies around the relationship between cohesion and performance, there is a gap in literature regarding longitudinal changes of this relationship as well as its direction. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to examine the relationship between cohesion and performance for soccer teams during a full competitive season as well as the direction of the relationship. The study suggests a new model for the relationship between cohesion and performance. In total, 173 Greek soccer players (M=21.91) completed the Group Environment Questionnaire (Carron et al., 1985) in all the measurements from the beginning of the preparation to the end of the competitive season. The results showed that cohesion and performance are two variables that affect each other in soccer, with a stronger direction from cohesion to performance. However, cohesion affects performance either positively or negatively throughout the season.

A Psychometric Evaluation of the Group Environment Questionnaire in a Sample of Professional Basketball and Soccer Players

Psychometric properties of the Group Environment Questionnaire were investigated in a large sample of soccer ( n = 222) and professional basketball players ( n = 375). Confirmatory factor analysis was performed both on the total sample and on the two subsamples through a multi-group approach; associations between cohesion and the duration of belonging to the team were also explored. Results confirmed the four-factor structure proposed by Carron's original model even though some items with low loadings were eliminated. No significant associations were found between team cohesion and the duration of belonging to the team.

The influence of game location on athletes' psychological states

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between game location and precompetition psychological states. Male rugby players (N = 100) completed the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 and the Profile of Mood States approximately 1 hr before a home and an away game. Repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance of mood and anxiety scores indicated significant differences between home and away locations. Participants scored higher on Vigor and Self-confidence, and lower on Tension, Depression, Anger, Fatigue, Confusion, Cognitive Anxiety, and Somatic Anxiety when competing at home. The findings support the proposal (Courneya & Carron, 1992) that psychological states are influenced by game location.