Effects of differences in the locations of supporters on sports performance and sense of unity

Abstract

  We examined the effect of the difference between under the situation of supporters are nearby and a match without spectators on sports performance and togetherness. Using the physical fitness test and questionnaire of togetherness, 10 male students and 10 female students participated in the experiment. We set two conditions; condition of provide cheer near the subject（near supporter condition）and condition of cheer through the camera（camera condition）. The camera condition was that simulated a match without spectator that couldn’t hear the supporter’s voice and see the supporters. We compared performance and togetherness in these conditions. As a result, performance and togetherness was significantly higher in the near supporter condition than the camera condition. However, dexterity showed no significant difference between the two conditions. And also, male had only one task（flexibility）that was significantly higher in the near supporter condition. On the other hand, female had four tasks（muscle strength, flexibility, agility and explosive power）were significantly higher at the near supporter condition. Additionally, in the near supporter condition, female had a significantly higher togetherness than male. These results showed that the camera condition has a smaller improvement in performance and togetherness than the near supporter condition. In addition, it was suggested the possibility that female is susceptible to the effect of nearby cheering.