Loughborough University Survey

Study conducted by The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Loughborough University

The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Loughborough University is conducting a study into the effects of athletes' (romantic and marital) personal relationships on sport performance. Anecdotal evidence reveals the recognition placed by coaches (e.g., Sven Goran Eriksson) on the positive impact athletes' partners have on sport performance. Also limited empirical evidence suggests that close friends can help reduce stress and lower injury frequency.

In an attempt to answer "Is an athlete's relationship with their partner an added stressor or can it actually help the athlete perform better?", data will be collected from both the athlete and their partner at two different time points during the athlete's season (off-season and mid-season). This will allow us to explore the manner in which the added pressures of sport affect the ebb and flow of the relationship and in turn the athlete's competitive performance.
The data will be collected employing a method (email, telephone, mail or internet) that best suits yourself and your partner. All information provided for the purpose of this investigation will be COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL and not accessible to third parties.

The knowledge generated from this investigation aims to,

(a) inform athletes (and their coaches) about the impact personal relationships have on performance,
(b) suggest ways to form harmonious and stable personal relationships that are likely to help athletes achieve their best performances, and
(c) advise on how to deal effectively and successfully with relationship conflict, tension and disagreements.

We, therefore, kindly invite you to participate in this investigation. Your participation in the study is valuable. Participation involves filling out a questionnaire that takes a maximum 30 minutes. If you are willing to take part in this investigation, please contact our researcher, Stephen Scales by email,
or by telephone on 01509 222757.
Alternatively you may visit our web site.

The questionnaire may be completed online, if you wish to do this please contact Stephen Scales by email and he will email you the username and password information.

Due to the nature of the study we would need both partners in the relationship to complete the information, one of whom must be an athlete competing at club level on a regular basis. If you feel you meet this criteria and would like to participate please get in touch as you will be contributing to a unique study on a national level that has potentially significant practical implications for athletes' sport performance as well as the athlete's, and their partner's well-being.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sophia Jowett PhD and Duncan Cramer PhD

Restored from the club's earlier website, belgraveharriers.com, and published here as originally written.