THE ROLE OF SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY IN ENHANCING TEAM COHESION AND PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Team cohesion is an important aspect because it generates cooperation, communication, and trust among players to obtain improved performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of sports psychological interventions on team cohesion and team performance in competitive sports. This study aimed to increase task and social cohesion through the use of psychological strategies and assessed the performance outcomes, such as agility and hand-eye coordination. The study used a quasi-experimental design with 60 soccer, basketball, and volleyball athletes (18–30) who were exposed to psychological interventions in the experimental group and not in the control group, per traditional training. Quantitative measures (pre- and post-test cohesion scores using the Group Environment Questionnaire, performance metrics (goals, assists, synergy), and qualitative data from interviews and focus groups were used. Analysis resulted in a substantial difference in team cohesion between the experimental group (4.1±0.5 to 4.7±0.3) and the control group (1.1±0.3 to 1.5±0.4). They also showed a 15 percent improvement in agility, and a 6 percent improvement hand hand-eye coordination in the experimental group. Qualitative data found that the experimental group engaged in and was more motivated than the control group. The significance is placed on the inclusion of psychological interventions during sports practice, in order to reinforce team dynamics and performance.