Cover not available

Article published In: Interaction Studies
Vol. 19:3 (2018) ► pp.499–518

Get fulltext from our e-platform
JBE logo with link
PDF logo with download linkDownload PDF
authorization required

Team coordination in high-risk circus acrobatics

 | University of Central Lancashire
 | Florida State University
Published online: 13 March 2019
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/is.16035.fil
Abstract
To advance understanding of the mechanisms allowing for team coordination (TC) in complex motor actions, we conducted a qualitative study with eight elite hand-to-hand circus acrobats. Data collection consisted of field observations, an open-ended interview with the participants’ head coach, and focus group interviews with all acrobats. Data analysis yielded three higher order themes: TC, collective efficacy (CE), and TC-CE linkage. Teammates’ shared and complementary mental models, as well as implicit and explicit communication dynamics, emerged as formative sub-themes of TC; self-efficacy and other’s-efficacy emerged as reflective sub-themes of CE. Our findings also suggest that TC is likely inter-related to CE in a systemic fashion. Practitioners should encourage the development of both shared and complementary models of thinking, while promoting verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Finally, increasing teammates’ confidence in themselves and in their teammates can help in the development of CE as well as the enhancement of TC.
Article outline
  • Conceptual framework of coordination in teams
  • The present study
  • Method
    • Participants
    • Data collection
      • Focus group interviews
      • Coach interview
      • Field observations
    • Data analysis
      • Inductive thematic analysis
      • Direct content analysis
  • Results
    • Team coordination
      • Shared mental models
      • Complementary mental models
      • Verbal communication
      • Non-verbal communication
    • Collective efficacy
      • Self-efficacy
      • Other’s-efficacy
    • Team coordination and collective efficacy linkage
  • Discussion
    • Underlying factors of team coordination
    • The role of collective efficacy
    • Team coordination and collective efficacy linkage
    • Limitations
    • Future research and applied implications
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
References (63)
References
Arrow, H., Poole, M. S., Henry, K. B., Wheelan, S., & Moreland, R. (2004). Time, change, and development: The temporal perspective on groups. Small Group Research, 351, 73–105. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Atik, Y. (1994). The conductor and the orchestra: Interactive aspects of the leadership process. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 151, 22–28. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York, NY: W. H. Freeman.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Bloom, B. S. (Ed). (1985). Developing talent in young people. New York, NY: Ballantine.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 31, 77–101. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Bruun, D. M., Krustrup, P., Hornstrup, T., Uth, J., Brasso, K., Rørth, M., … & Midtgaard, J. (2014). “All boys and men can play football”: A qualitative investigation of recreational football in prostate cancer patients. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 241, 113–121. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Cacioppo, J. T., Tassinary, L. G., & Berntson, G. G. (2007). Psychophysiological science: Interdisciplinary approaches to classic questions about the mind. In J. T. Cacioppo, L. G. Tassinary, & G. Berntson (Eds.), Handbook of psychophysiology (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Carron, A. V., Eys, M. A., & Burke, S. M. (2007). Team cohesion: nature, correlates, and development. In S. Jowette, & D. Lavallee (Eds.), Social psychology in sport (pp. 91e102). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Carron, A. V., & Spink, K. S. (1993). Team building in an exercise setting. The Sport Psychologist, 71, 8–18. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Chomsky, N. (2014). Aspects of the theory of syntax (Vol. 111). Cambridge, MA: M.I.T. Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Collins, J., & Durand-Bush, N. (2015). Frameworks of team processes in sport: A critical review with implications for practitioners. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 31, 46–59. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Coyle, A. (2010). Qualitative research and anomalous experience: a call for interpretative pluralism. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 71, 79–83. .Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
DeLong, C., Pathak, N., Erickson, K., Perrino, E., Shim, K., & Srivastava, J. (2011). Team Skill: modeling team chemistry in online multi-player games. In J. Huang, L. Cao, & J. Srivastava (Eds.), Advances in knowledge discovery and data mining (pp. 519–531). Berlin, Germany: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Dunbar, R. I. (2009). The social brain hypothesis and its implications for social evolution. Annals of Human Biology, 361, 562–572. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Eccles, D. (2010). The coordination of labour in sports teams. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 31, 154–170. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Eccles, D. W., & Tenenbaum, G. (2004). Why an expert team is more than a team of experts: A social-cognitive conceptualization of team coordination and communication in sport. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 261, 542–560. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Elo, S., & Kyngäs, H. (2008). The qualitative content analysis process. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 621, 107–115. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Feltz, D. L., Short, S. E., & Sullivan, P. J. (2008). Self-efficacy in sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Filho, E. (2015). “Team chemistry” through chemistry lenses: Interdisciplinary science or a metaphorical conundrum? Frontiers in Psychology, 61. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Filho, E., Aubertin, P., & Petiot, B. (2016). The making of expert performers at Cirque du Soleil and the National Circus School: A performance enhancement outlook. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, 71, 68–79. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Filho, E., Bertollo, M., Robazza, C., & Comani, S. (2015b). The juggling paradigm: A novel social neuroscience approach to identify neuropsychophysiological markers of team mental models. Frontiers in Psychology, 61. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Filho, E., Gershgoren, L., Basevitch, I., Schinke, R., & Tenenbaum, G. (2014). Peer leadership and shared mental models in a college volleyball team: A season long case study. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 81, 184–203. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Filho, E., & Rettig, J. (2016). Intergroup conflict management strategies from a Nobel Peace Laureate: The case of Jose Ramos-Horta. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 381, 351–361. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Filho, E., & Tenenbaum, G. (2012). Team mental models in sports: An overview. In R. Schinke (Ed.), Athletic insight’s writings in sport psychology. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers. Inc.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2015). Sports psychology. Oxford bibliographies. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Filho, E., Tenenbaum, G., & Yang, Y. (2015a). Cohesion, team mental models, and collective efficacy: Towards an integrated framework of team dynamics in sport. Journal of Sports Sciences, 331, 641–653. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Garud, R. (1997). On the distinction between know-how, know-what, and know-why. Advances in Strategic Management, 141, 81–102.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Gershgoren, L., Basevitch, I., Filho, E., Gershgoren, A., Brill, Y. S., Schinke, R. J., & Tenenbaum, G. (2016). Expertise in soccer teams: A thematic inquiry into the role of shared mental models within team chemistry. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 241, 128–139. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Gershgoren, L., Filho, E., Tenenbaum, G., & Schinke, R. J. (2013). Coaching shared mental models in soccer: A longitudinal case study. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 71, 293–312. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Giske, R., Rodahl, S. E., & Høigaard, R. (2015). Shared mental task models in elite ice hockey and handball teams: Does it exist and how does the coach intervene to make an impact? Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 271, 20–34. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Gold, R. L. (1958). Roles in sociological field observations. Social Forces, 217–223. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hackman, J. R., & Wageman, R. (2005). A theory of team coaching. Academy of Management Review, 301, 269–287. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hiller, N. J., DeChurch, L. A., Murase, T., & Doty, D. (2011). Searching for outcomes of leadership: A 25-year review. Journal of Management, 371, 1137–1177. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hoyle, R. H. (2011). Structural equation modeling for social and personality psychology. Thousands Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hsieh, H. F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 151, 1277–1288. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Kelso, J. A. S. (2012). Multistability and metastability: Understanding dynamic coordination in the brain. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 3671, 906–918. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Kincheloe, J. (2005). On to the next level: continuing the conceptualization of the bricolage. Qualitative Inquiry, 111, 323–350. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Klein, G. (2000). Cognitive task analysis of teams. In J. M. Schraagen, S. F. Chipman, & V. L. Shalin (Eds.), Cognitive task analysis (pp. 417–430). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Klimoski, R., & Mohammed, S. (1994). Team mental model: Construct or metaphor? Journal of Management, 201, 403–437. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Marks, M. A., Mathieu, J. E., & Zaccaro, S. J. (2001). A temporally based framework and taxonomy of team processes. Academy of Management Review, 261, 356–376. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Marsh, K. L., Richardson, M. J., & Schmidt, R. C. (2009). Social connection through joint action and interpersonal coordination. Topics in Cognitive Science, 11, 320–339. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Mathieu, J. E., Heffner, T. S., Goodwin, G. F., Salas, E., & Cannon-Bowers, J. (2000). The influence of shared mental models on team process and performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 851, 273–283. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
McNeill, D. (2008). Gesture and thought. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(1992). Hand and mind: What gestures reveal about thought. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Ménard, J. F., & Hallé, M. (2014). Circus also needs performance psychology: Facts and realities of consulting at Cirque du Soleil. In J. G. Cremades & L. S. Tashman (Eds.), Becoming a sport, exercise, and performance psychology professional: A global perspective. New York, NY: Psychology Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Mills, J., Bonner, A., & Francis, K. (2006). Adopting a constructivist approach to grounded theory: Implications for research design. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 121, 8–13. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Mohammed, S., Ferzandi, L., & Hamilton, K. (2010). Metaphor no more: A 15-year review of the team mental model construct. Journal of Management, 361, 876–910. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Peterson, E., Mitchell, T. R., Thompson, L., & Burr, R. (2000). Collective efficacy and aspects of shared mental models as predictors of performance over time in work groups. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 31, 296–316. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Reimer, T., Park, E. S., & Hinsz, V. B. (2006). Shared and coordinated cognition in competitive and dynamic task environments: An information‐processing perspective for team sports. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 41, 376–400. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Salas, E., Rosen, M. A., Burke, C. S., Goodwin, G. F., & Fiore, S. (2006). The making of a dream team: When expert teams do best. In K. A. Ericsson, N. Charness, P. J. Feltovich & R. R. Hoffman (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of expertise and expert performance (pp. 439–453). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Short, S. E., Sullivan, P., & Feltz, D. L. (2005). Development and preliminary validation of the collective efficacy questionnaire for sports. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 91, 181–202. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Silva, P., Garganta, J., Araújo, D., Davids, K., & Aguiar, P. (2013). Shared knowledge or shared affordances? Insights from an ecological dynamics approach to team coordination in sports. Sports Medicine, 431, 765–772. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Simons, M., de Vet, E., Hoornstra, S., Brug, J., Seidell, J., & Chinapaw, M. (2012). Adolescents’ views on active and non-active videogames: a focus group study. Games for Health, 11, 211–218. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Sparkes, A. C., & Smith, B. (2014). Qualitative research methods in sport, exercise and health: From process to product. New York, NY: Routledge.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Streeck, J. (2015). Embodiment in human communication. Annual Review of Anthropology, 441, 419–438. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Vaughn, S., Schumm, J. S., & Sinagub, J. M. (1996). Focus group interviews in education and psychology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Vilar, L., Araújo, D., Davids, K., & Button, C. (2012). The role of ecological dynamics in analysing performance in team sports. Sports Medicine, 421, 1–10. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Willig, C., & Stainton-Rogers, W. (Eds.). (2007). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research in psychology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Wood, H. (2003). Space-time continuum. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 41. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Xinwen, B., Erping, W., Ying, Z., Dafei, M., & Jing, R. (2006). Developmental characteristics of two types of shared mental models. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 381, 598.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Cited by (9)

Cited by nine other publications

Berman, Nina & Mary Akinyi Otieno
2026. Integrating Kenyan creatives into the country’s arts and sports science education curricula. Policy Futures in Education DOI logo
Gómez-Ruano, Miguel-Ángel, Sergio Jiménez Saiz, Edson Filho, Carlos Lago-Peñas & Yixiong Cui
2025. Which factors define success during the basketball overtimes?. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching 20:2 ► pp. 707 ff. DOI logo
Piasecki, Piotr A. & Edson Filho
2025. The influence of social and task peer-leaders on team cohesion and collective efficacy in sports: a meta-analytical review. Sport Sciences for Health 21:3 ► pp. 1349 ff. DOI logo
Popp, Alisa, Magdalena Hartmann & Stephan Huber
2023. Proceedings of the Seventeenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, ► pp. 1 ff. DOI logo
Faltus, John & Veronique Richard
2022. Considerations for the Medical Management of the Circus Performance Artist and Acrobat. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 17:2 DOI logo
Stuckey, Melanie, Véronique Richard, Adam Decker, Patrice Aubertin & Dean Kriellaars
2021. Supporting Holistic Wellbeing for Performing Artists During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Recovery: Study Protocol. Frontiers in Psychology 12 DOI logo
Filho, Edson & Gershon Tenenbaum
2020. Team Mental Models. In Handbook of Sport Psychology, ► pp. 611 ff. DOI logo
Hoyle, Ben, Jamie Taylor, Luca Zugic & Edson Filho
2020. Coordination Cost and Super-Efficiency in Teamwork: The Role of Communication, Psychological States, Cardiovascular Responses, and Brain Rhythms. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback 45:4 ► pp. 323 ff. DOI logo
Lefebvre, Augustin
2020. To touch and to be touched. In Touch in Social Interaction, ► pp. 150 ff. DOI logo

This list is based on CrossRef data as of 16 march 2026. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.

Mobile Menu Logo with link to supplementary files background Layer 1 prag Twitter_Logo_Blue