Relationship between trust in leadership and athletic performance in selected sports (Gymnastics, Diving and Wushu)

Many of the social interpersonal relationships are formed in the context of sports, exercise and physical activity (Jowett & Cockerill, 2002). One of the special relationship, is the relationship between athletes and coach, which in the case of duration and intensity is similar to conventional and unique relationship between leaders and followers. In such environments, a key component in determining the effectiveness of leadership is the existence of trust in the leader by the follower (Zhang, 2004). Therefore the primary proposes of this study were to a)examine the relationship between athlete’s trust in the coach and athletic performance and b) identification the portion of antecedences and consequences of trust in the coach to promote athletic performance. Based on the literature on trust, a theoretical model was proposed. In this model perceived characteristics (i.e., ability, benevolence, justice and integrity) and perceived behaviors (i.e., reactive and natural) of the coach were posited as the antecedences of trust in the coach. The athlete’s propensity to trust, which reflects the athlete’s general tendency to rely on others words and behaviors, and reputation which reflects the athlete’s acceptability of the coach were posited to moderate the relationship of antecedences with athlete’s trust in the coach. High level athletes and national champions (N=142) of three technical sport (i.e., Gymnastics, Diving and Vusho) were included the statistical society. The instrument of research was a questionnaire’s package which was comprised of four separate questionnaires. Two structural equation models involving (a) antecedents of an Athlete’s trust in the coach and (b) consequences of an athlete’s trust in the coach were tested employing structural equation modeling technique. Results showed that athlete’s trust in the coach can be predicted by antecedences (i.e., coach’s characteristics and behaviors) of trust in the coach. Athlete’s propensity to trust was found to moderate the relations of perceived coach’s characteristics on athlete’s trust in the coach. Athlete’s commitment and cooperate with the coach and athlete’s risk taking behavior as the consequences of athlete’s trust in the coach could be posited as the provident in perceived performance and finally athlete’s trust in the coach has a indirect relationship with perceived performance through commitment and cooperation with the coach. No significant relationship was observed between trust and its consequences with the actual performance of athletes.