The Relationship Between Cohesion and Performance in Individually Competing Sport Teams

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.