The reciprocal relationship between nonverbal behavior and sports performance in a cross-lagged panel model

Objectives: The aim of the present research is to investigate the relationship between nonverbal behavior (NVB) and sports performance in a longitudinal design using cross-lagged panel models (CLPMs). Method: In our study NVB and performance were measured at eight time points (n1) in 48 basketball matches (n2), resulting in N = 384 data points. Cross-lagged paths between NVB and performance were analyzed in multilevel models, with NVB at time point t-1 predicting performance at time point t and performance at time point t-1 predicting NVB at time point t. Performance was measured as the score difference between one team to the opposing team within a time point. NVB was rated on a scale from dominance to submissiveness by two blinded raters. Dependence of performance measures between time points was eliminated by two different approaches, resulting in two different measurements of performance. Results: Results indicate an effect of NVB at time point t-1 on performance at time point t for one of the methods of performance. Contrary to our hypothesis and evidence from previous findings, there was no effect of performance at time point t-1 on NVB at time point t for neither method of measuring performance. Conclusions: This study supports a positive relationship between NVB and sports performance, more so in the direction of NVB predicting performance.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nonverbal behavior (NVB) and sports performance using cross-lagged panel models (CLPMs). The results suggest that NVB at a certain time point can predict performance, but performance does not have an effect on NVB in this study.