Athletes' Preferences for Informational and Emotional Pre-Game Speech Content

Abstract

The purpose of this study is threefold: 1) to explore athletes' preferences for informational and emotional content within pre-game speeches according to types of sporting situations, 2) to explore coaches' and athletes' perceptions of preferred informational and emotional content within pre-game speeches, and 3) to explore potential gender differences Participants were 208 collegiate varsity athletes (121 male, 87 female) Athletes and coaches completed measures assessing preferences for pre-game speech content and demographic variables. Results indicated that athletes preferred differing amounts of information and emotion according to the situation and athletes' and coaches' perceptions of needed emotion within pre-game speeches differed as well. Gender differences were also found; female athletes placed higher values on the amount of information than did their male counterparts. No gender differences were found on the amount of emotional content.