Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/29154
Title: Does stress affect nonverbal engagement in teams? A case study in professional team sport
Contributor(s): Serpell, Benjamin G  (author)orcid ; Larkham, Stephen (author); Cook, Christian J  (author)orcid 
Publication Date: 2020-06-04
Early Online Version: 2019-11-06
DOI: 10.1108/TPM-06-2019-0059
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/29154
Abstract: Purpose
Team effectiveness is often predicated by a group’s ability to communicate. However, the effect of stress response on communication success, particularly nonverbal engagement, and how this might affect team performance, is not clear; a “phenomenon” this study sought to explore.
Design/methodology/approach
This was an observational study in a cohort of professional rugby players. Participants gave presentations to their peers on two separate occasions during a “live-in” camp designed to have psychologically stressful elements. Presentations were video recorded and audience engagement was measured. Testosterone and cortisol were used as biomarkers of stress response, with a high testosterone–cortisol ratio considered positive. A team training session followed the presentations and participants were rated for training quality.
Findings
A small decline in testosterone was observed each day after waking. Conversely, cortisol rose after waking, with the rise being the highest on the first day. A decline in testosterone–cortisol ratio was also seen each day after waking; the decline was greatest on the first day. Presentation duration and audience engagement was greatest for the second presentation; when the testosterone-cortisol ratio decline and the cortisol increase after waking was smaller. Training quality was also better that day. Pooled data revealed a moderate inverse relationship and weak positive relationships for audience engagement with post-meeting cortisol and post-meeting testosterone–cortisol ratio, respectively. Training quality was related to testosterone and testosterone–cortisol ratio, but inversely related to cortisol.
Originality/value
This study suggests that in stressful conditions, as suggested by an awakening hormone response, communication and team performance could become compromised with reduced ability to engage with others.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Team Performance Management, 26(3-4), p. 197-210
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited
Place of Publication: United Kingdom
ISSN: 1758-6860
1352-7592
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 110699 Human Movement and Sports Science not elsewhere classified
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 350799 Strategy, management and organisational behaviour not elsewhere classified
420799 Sports science and exercise not elsewhere classified
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 970111 Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 130699 Sport, exercise and recreation not elsewhere classified
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Science and Technology

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