This article summarizes the following research:

“The Influence of Emotional Intelligence on Performance in Competitive Sports: A Meta-Analytical Investigation.” Alexandra Kopp and Darko Jekauc, published in: Sports (Besol) (2018). 

Link to the research article

Study Overview:

This research paper looked at many previously conducted studies to see whether emotional intelligence is linked to better performance in competitive sports. The analysis combined data from 21 studies with more than 3,400 athletes and found that athletes with higher emotional intelligence tended to perform better overall, but it isn't the only thing that makes athletes successful. The findings suggest that understanding and managing emotions could help athletes handle pressure and perform more consistently.

Key Terms Explained:

• Meta-analysis: a study that looks at the results from multiple studies to find overall trends.

• Effect size (r): a number that shows how strong a relationship is - in this case, emotional intelligence and performance. 

• Sports performance: how well an athlete performs in competitions or evaluations.

Emotional Intelligence:

Emotional Intelligence means:

• Recognizing your own emotions,

• Understanding how emotions influence thoughts and actions,

• Managing emotions in high-pressure situations,

• Reading emotions in teammates or opponents

In sports, this could look like staying calm during a clutch moment, keeping teams motivated after a tough loss, or returning to emotional equilibrium after a strong wave of emotion.

Sport Performance:

Performance was measured in a variety of ways in the studies looked at including:

• Coaches’ ratings

• Stats such as goals or wins

• Psychological scores or expert evaluations

Why This Matters to Athletes:

• Athletes face emotional challenges every day (pressure, stress, competition anxiety).

• Being better at handling emotions can improve consistency.

• High emotional intelligence can help with team communication, leadership, and motivation.

• Coaches, sport psychologists, and athletes can include emotional intelligence training to strengthen mental performance.

In short: emotional intelligence can be a useful tool in an athlete’s performance toolbox.

Key Takeaways:

• There is a positive link between emotional intelligence and sports performance.
  Athletes with higher emotional intelligence were more likely to perform better.

• The effect was small but consistent.
  The connection between emotional intelligence and sports performance wasn’t huge, but it was statistically meaningful across many studies.

• Emotional intelligence may help with pressures athletes face.
  The ability to manage emotions could contribute to better focus, composure, and decision-making.

To Learn Further:

• Laborde et al. (2016) — Emotional Intelligence in Sport and Exercise: A Systematic Review, Published: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports (2016)

• Kopp & Jekauc (2018) — The Influence of Emotional Intelligence on Performance in Competitive Sports: A Meta-Analytical Investigation, Published: Sports (2018)

• Laborde et al. (2014) — Trait Emotional Intelligence in Sports: A Protective Role Against Stress Through Heart Rate Variability?, Published: Personality and Individual Differences (2014)

• Lane et al. (2009) — Emotional Intelligence and Emotional States Associated with Optimal Performance, Published: Journal of Sports Science & Medicine (2009)