An Examination of Regulatory Fit on Football Performance under Pressure

Abstract: Introduction: Previous research has shown that sport performance can be facilitated in football using regulatory fit. However, little research has investigated effects of regulatory fit on performance and psychological responses within pressure conditions. Objective: To examine whether female football players experiencing promotion fit will perform better during a football passing task under perceived pressure, compared to a neutral (no fit; control) condition. Methods: In a pre–post-test, independent groups study design, 33 (M=18.03, SD=2.52) female football players were assigned into either an experimental group (n:15, i.e., promotion fit) or a control group (n:18, i.e., no fit). Participants completed a passing drill within two conditions, that is pre-test in no pressure and post-test in pressure, wherein the experimental group received promotion fit instructions while the control group received neutral instructions. Participants also completed a series of psychological measures that are relevant in the study of the performance–pressure relationship (i.e., affect, anxiety, self-confidence, and mental effort). Results: Participants in the promotion fit (experimental) group were protected against performance deterioration to a greater extent than participants in the control group. Furthermore, the experimental group showed psychological responses when performing under pressure that can explain why their performance was protected from deterioration: no difference in mental effort, cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, self-confidence and negative affect. Conclusion: Female football players experiencing promotion fit were protected against performance deterioration when performing under pressure. Such promotion fit experience influenced various psychological responses in the direction that are known to be beneficial in sport context when performing under perceived pressure.