Observational study shows athletes adjust coaching and planning behaviors during team endurance events, indicating group-based self-regulation supports collaborative performance.
Key Points
To examine differences between individual and group-based self-regulation among endurance athletes stratified by success orientation, and explore links between behavior, satisfaction, and team performance.
Assessed 29 competitive long-track speed skaters (14 males, 15 females; median age 16 years) completing an individual 1500 m time trial and a 3-person team pursuit.
Administered questionnaires evaluating individual and group-based self-regulatory skills (reflection, planning, evaluation, effort, self-efficacy, speaking up, coaching), behavior, and satisfaction.
Evaluated differences using two related samples Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and analyzed relationships via Spearman's rho correlations (p < 0.05).
Participant success orientation distribution was personal (n = 18), mixed (n = 11), and team (n = 0).
Athletes engaged in significantly more peer coaching during team events, and only athletes oriented toward team success altered planning strategies for team performance (p < 0.05).
Substantial variability was observed across athlete behavioral adjustments, satisfaction levels, and overall team performance.