Coaching and the Ringelmann Effect

Gym Coach, Vol.2 (2008) 19-21

©2008 The Gym Press. All rights reserved Gym Coach Vol.2, March, 2008

Warren Milburn
Gateshead, United Kingdom

ABSTRACT
Understanding how group dynamics affect performance is important in order to optimize the motivational factors and reduce the depressing ones. The Ringelmann Effect helps describes the inverse relationship between the size of a team and individual member contribution to the completion of the task. The more people in a group the more likely that the individual members will not contribute 100% of their maximal effort. Instead it seems that the more members in the group the lower the contribution form individuals members will tend to contribute. This phenomenon has clear implications in team situation, where each member is expected to perform at their best, such as in team sports. However the Ringelmann Effect can also be applied to group dynamics during gymnastics trainings. Coaches need to understand the implications of this social effect, and develop strategies to counteract any negative effects. By creating cohesion, and support within a training group the group will be able to work together more efficiently, and productively. Poor group dynamics in trainings result in poor performance, lack of motivation, slower learning rates. Effective group dynamic understanding can help to prevent or reduce the effects from such negative training factors. This article reviews our current understanding of the Ringelmann effect.