Coupling tendencies during exploratory behaviours of competing players in rugby union dyads |
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| Authors: | Vanda Correia Pedro Passos Duarte Araújo Keith Davids Ana Diniz J A Scott Kelso |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Education and Communication, University of the Algarve, Faro, Portugal;2. CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugalcorreia.vanda@gmail.com vicorreia@ualg.pt;4. CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal;5. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Sports Engineering Research, Sheffield, UK;6. FiDiPro Programme, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyv?skyl?, Finland;7. Centre for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA;8. Intelligent Systems Research Centre, University of Ulster, Derry, Northern Ireland |
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| Abstract: | This study investigated interpersonal coordination tendencies in 1vs.1 dyads in rugby union, here expressed by participants' movement velocity towards or away from the sideline as they competed to score or prevent a try. We examined whether coupling tendencies of members of each dyad shaped key performance outcomes (try or successful tackle). Data on movement displacement trajectories of eight male rugby union players (aged 11–12 years) were analysed during performance in 47 trials. To assess coordination tendencies during exploratory behaviours in the dyads, analyses of performance time series data were undertaken using variable time graphs, running correlations and cross-correlations. Results revealed distinct coupling patterns characterised by shifts between synchronous coordination and asynchronous coordination tendencies and uncoordinated actions. Observed behaviours were interpreted as attempts of competing participants to create and perceive possibilities for action while seeking to achieve specific performance goals. Findings also revealed that a variety of patterned relations between participants resulted in different performance outcomes. |
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| Keywords: | Interpersonal coordination tendencies exploratory behaviours dyadic sub-systems pattern formation team sports |
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