Non-verbal behaviour of professional soccer players performing in the absence or presence of fans

Abstract

The present research tested the impact of score line, spectator presence and game location on athletes’ non-verbal behaviour (NVB). Two studies (N = 240; N = 160) tested whether the NVB of soccer players differed as a function of score line, spectator-presence and game location by asking participants to guess the current score, the dominance, pride and confidence of soccer players in videos. Results demonstrated that NVB ratings were more negative when the athletes were trailing (less dominant, less proud, and less confident) compared to leading. Study 1 showed more non-verbal expressiveness (social facilitation) of pleasant feelings (being in a high lead) and lower expressiveness (social inhibition) of negative feelings (trailing) in the presence of spectators. Study 2 indicated that leading at away games led to higher non-verbal expressiveness, whereas leading at home games led to less non-verbal expressiveness in the presence of a supportive audience.