Abstract
Sports cohesion studies have failed to investigate the relationship between
cohesion and performance within teams where members compete as individuals.
Research has shown a positive relationship within coacting and interacting sports teams.
The purpose o f this study was to determine the relationship between cohesion as
measured by the Group Environment Questionnaire and performance as determined by
final tournament placement. Subjects were competitors in a regional fencing tournament
comprised o f five events; mixed foil, women’s foil, mixed epee, women’s epee, and
mixed saber. Each team’s average percentile placement within the events was correlated to the four sub-scales o f the Group Environment Questionnaire. No significant
correlation was found between the two results. This is in contrast to the trend within
sport cohesion research, where studies have shown a positive relationship within coacting
and interacting teams, as well as exercise groups.
