Sport Science Forum 2022 Abstracts

Through a collaboration with the Sport Science Forum at Western Kentucky University, FinSHEEM is able to present the abstracts from the meeting focusing on sport science and sport fandom. Presenters are invited to submit full papers from the Forum

Sport Fans\u27 Consumption Behaviors Following the COVID-19 Pandemic and Return to In-Person Spectating

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine consumption of sporting events after sport leagues returned from the COVID-19 pandemic. A sample of 329 college-aged sport fans were recruited for the study. Participants were administered measures to assess their sport fandom, sport fandom spectator identification, sport rivalry fan perception, and behavioral consumption of sport. Data was obtained between October 2020 to January 2021 as sport leagues returned to play. Results from the current study indicated that current sport consumption is at a similar level as it was pre-pandemic. However, the methods of consumption were inconsistent. Participants in the present investigation stated they were watching sports on television less than they were before the pandemic. Sport fans also indicated they were attending more games in person. Sport fandom was also the strongest predictor of sport-consumption behavior. Team identification and rivalry also accounted for modest variations of consumption behaviors. Future studies could explore future levels of sport fans in person attendance as sport leagues continue to return from COVID-19. Additionally, future work could explore other conditions in which team sport fandom is a strong predictor of sport consumption behaviors

Big Five Personality Traits of Collegiate Social Fraternities and Sororities

This study examined differences in personality between fraternity- and sorority-affiliated college students and unaffiliated college students. A 20-item online survey was completed by 613 undergraduates (51% fraternity- and sorority-affiliated) measuring the Big Five personality factors. Analyses were conducted using independent samples t-tests to compare personalities of fraternity- and sorority-affiliated students to unaffiliated students. Fraternity and sorority members scored higher on measures of extraversion, measures of conscientiousness, and lower on measurers of neuroticism than nonmembers

An Examination of Sport Fans’ Perceptions of the Impact of the Legalization of Sport Wagering on Their Fan Experience

Over the years, professional and collegiate organizations have fought attempts to increase the legalization of sport wagering. One argument presented by those in opposition is that increased legalization would negatively alter the manner in which fans and spectators follow, consume, and react to sporting events (Tuohy, 2013). The current research was designed to examine possible changes in fandom by investigating fans’ perceptions of the impact of increasing legalized sport wagering on their fan experience, interest in sport, and sport consumption. Participants (N = 580) completed a questionnaire packet assessing demographics, economic fan motivation, fandom, and perceptions of the impact of increased access to legalized sport gambling. Data and analyses indicated that expected impacts were small and generally positive (e.g., a modest increase in interest in sport and consumption) and that these effects were greatest among groups historically active in sport gambling (e.g., persons higher in economic motivation and sport fandom)

Use of Retroactive Pessimism as a Method of Coping with Identity Threat: The Impact of Group Identification

Retroactive pessimism involves retrospectively lowering one's evaluations of a group's chances for success after a failed competition. Although past research has substantiated the existence of this strategy, investigators have yet to examine how level of group identification might impact the use of retroactive pessimism. Given that coping with group threat is most prominent among persons with high levels of group identification, we hypothesized that displays of retroactive pessimism would be magnified in persons with strong allegiances to a group. This hypothesis was tested by having supporters of two college basketball teams evaluate the chances for victory for each team both prior to the game between the teams and subsequent to the contest. Regression analyses confirmed expectations (the greatest magnitude of retroactive pessimism was reported by highly identified supporters of the losing team in their evaluations of the winning team). Subsequent analyses revealed that this effect was not mediated by level of disappointment in the outcome

The Influence of Fantasy Sport Participation on Fans\u27 Perceptions of the Impact of the Legalization of Sport Wagering

As states look for ways to increase revenue, many are making attempts to increase the availability of legalized sport wagering. Extending previous work designed to further our understanding of how such actions could potentially impact sport fandom, the current study examined the impact of prior participation in fantasy sports, a pastime sharing much in common with sport gambling. The findings revealed that level of participation in fantasy sports were related to expectations of increased sport wagering, should such opportunities become more available. However, fantasy sport participation was not related to expected changes in sport interest or consumption

Motivational Profiles of Sport Fans of Different Sports

The current investigation examined sport type differences in eight fan motives: escape, economic (i.e., gambling), eustress (i.e., positive arousal), self-esteem, group affiliation, entertainment, family, and aesthetics. Participants (final sample N = 886) completed a questionnaire packet assessing their level of fandom and motivation for consuming one of 13 target sports: professional baseball, college football, professional football, figure skating, gymnastics, professional hockey, boxing, auto racing, tennis, professional basketball, college basketball, professional wrestling, and golf. Sports were classified into three different dichotomies: individual (e.g., figure skating, golf) versus team (e.g., professional baseball, college basketball); aggressive (e.g., professional wrestling, professional football) versus nonaggressive (e.g., professional baseball, figure skating); and stylistic (e.g., figure skating, gymnastics) versus nonstylistic (e.g., professional hockey, tennis). In addition to differences in target sports (e.g., golf versus professional football), statistical analyses indicated a number of sport type differences. Aesthetic motivation was found to be particularly prominent in individual sports, while scores were greater for team sports in eustress, self-esteem, group affiliation, entertainment, and family. Aesthetic motivation scores were also high in nonaggressive sports, while economic, eustress, group affiliation, and entertainment were higher for team sports. Finally, aesthetic motivation was quite high for stylistic sports, while economic, eustress, self-esteem, group affiliation, entertainment, and family motivation scores were higher for nonstylistic sports. Only one motive, escape, was not found to differ in at least one sport type comparison. The discussion centers on potential explanations for the sport type differences as well as on marketing implications and suggestions for future research

Sport Science Forum Abstracts

Through a collaboration with the Sport Science Forum at Western Kentucky University, FinSHEEM is able to present the abstracts from the meeting focusing on sport science and sport fandom. Presenters are invited to submit full papers from the Forum

The Coping Strategies of Highly Identified Sport Fans: The Importance of Team Success on Tendencies to Utilize Proactive Pessimism

The authors investigated the use of proactive pessimism among college basketball fans. Rather than assess evaluations of an upcoming season as with previous work on proactive pessimism among fans, Grieve and Wann examined evaluations of a specific game

Achievement goals across the lifespan

Evolution des buts d'accomplissements et de la motivation des athlètes à différents stades de leur vie et selon leur sexe. Des sportifs ou d'anciens sportifs appartenant à trois classes d'âge distinctes (18-30 ans, 31-49 ans et 50-90 ans) sont soumis au questionnaire TEOSQ (Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire). Les résultats montrent qu'il existe une relation entre le sexe et l'âge, et, qu'après 50 ans,chez les hommes, l'indice d'orientation de l'égo diminue par rapport aux deux autres classes d'âg