From High Fives to High Scores: The Impact of Touch on Success in Sports

We wanted to share the results of a recent study with the Athletic Trainers and sports medicine professionals who read this blog because mental health concerns have been growing for years now.

And this research underscores the importance of mental health and well-being. Athletic Trainers, often seen as the custodians of physical health, might gain a new perspective from this information and can maybe integrate strategies into their protocols. 

What's of the most pressure-filled moments in sports? It's the free throw in basketball. In a recent  study, led by the University of Basel, they reveal that a simple, yet profound tactic actually does tilt the odds of success in favor of the shooter: a supportive touch from teammates.

Their inquiry into the realm of sports psychology, spearheaded by Christiane Büttner and her associates from the University of Landau and Purdue University, meticulously dissected the dynamics of free throw scenarios in NCAA women's basketball games, unveiling the hidden power of human connection in high-stress moments.

Büttner's study, published in the journal Psychology of Sport & Exercise, zeroed in on the free throw line—a stage where the drama of a basketball game often hits a peak. Even viewers hold their breath when a player attempts the shot.

The research team analyzed 835 two-free-throw incidents across 60 NCAA games, focusing on the interactions between the free throw shooter and her teammates before the shot.

The findings were striking: a player's chances of scoring improved significantly with a touch from her teammates, especially after a missed first shot, underlining the psychological uplift such gestures provide.

Büttner suggests that the comfort of a pat on the back or a squeeze of the hand might extend its benefits beyond the basketball court, to other team sports and even interpersonal relationships.

"Support from teammates is most helpful when your stress level is already high because you've missed the first of the two shots."

This study not only emphasizes the emotional and psychological aspects of sports but also reinforces the understanding that performance under pressure is not solely a function of physical ability or individual mental fortitude; it's also about the support system and the collective spirit of the team.

The observation that physical touch— a fundamental human interaction—can influence outcomes in such a high-stakes environment speaks volumes about the social nature of sports and the potential of small gestures to make significant impacts.

Büttner's research offers a fresh perspective on the dynamics of team sports, particularly the subtle yet powerful role of social support and physical touch in enhancing performance.

As the sports world continues to evolve, acknowledging and leveraging these human elements could well be the key to unlocking new levels of achievement and team cohesion.