Cultivating Cheer Dance Team Cohesion Factors Towards Team Performance Among Student- Athletes In Selected Universities In Anhui Province, China

Abstract

The study analyzed the current situation of team cohesion among cheer dance athletes, in order to find out the factors that influence team cohesion and to help the cheer dancers navigate towards enhanced team performance and eventually results in improved competition results. The study was conducted to ten selected universities in Anhui Province in China based on garnered awards in cheer dance competitions. The respondents who were purposively were the 15- member cheer dance team of each 10 targeted universities or for a total of 150 cheer dance members and joined by 10 coaches or their assistant coaches . The study utilized a validated survey questionnaire to assess on team cohesion factor and team performance dimensions. The findings showed that cheer dance athletes were very cohesive. The assessment among the athletes were found to vary with sex, age , grade level and college affiliation. Performance of cheer dance athletes were found satisfactory among coaches, citing that prior learning, team goals, and positive attitudes are contributory factors to team performance. The correlation between team cohesion and the assessed level of team performance among cheer dance athlete-respondents were found strong and positively associated. It was inferred that the team members who work together, produce positive results, and lead to ensure long-term success for their performances. It reflects that transformation leadership play a pivotal role in putting cohesiveness among players in a competitive game. The study recommends that a program on teambuilding be developed to sustain cohesiveness.