This study evaluates whether a brief, structured team reflection programme embedded within routine elite underwater rugby training is associated with longitudinal change in key psychosocial team over 6 weeks and assessed at baseline (T0), mid-intervention (week 3; T1) and post-intervention (week 6; T2). Outcomes include team cohesion, psychological safety, peer trust and team identification measured via validated questionnaires.
A standardised set of short reflection components is embedded into the squad's training microcycle over 6 weeks. Sessions occur twice weekly immediately post-training (before athletes 15 minutes. The protocol includes 16 sessions distributed across five components (internal-state check-in, specific recognition, structured micro-reflection on team functioning, collective identity reinforcement, and one controlled vulnerability session), all implemented under a strict "share-only" rule to preserve psychological safety (no interruptions, cross-talk, evaluation or rebuttal). Facilitation is shared between a staff member and a rotating athlete leader. Fidelity and dose are monitored via a brief session log (delivery, minutes, facilitator, attendance, prompt completion, adherence to share-only rule). Objective sport performance outcomes are not collected; training availability and injury/illness status are recorded descriptively to contextualise exposure.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
27
Ongoing routine team training delivered during the 6-week study period according to the team's normal training plan (e.g., in-water technical/tactical practice and dry-land conditioning as typically scheduled). Training content is not modified for research purposes. Training attendance and any major deviations (e.g., cancellations, unusual loads) are recorded as part of routine monitoring.
Tecnológico de Antioquia
Guarne, Antioquia, Colombia
RECRUITINGTeam Cohesion (GEQ-12 short form)
Team cohesion measured using the Spanish 12-item short form of the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ). Items are rated on a 1-9 scale; negatively keyed items are reverse-scored. A composite cohesion score is computed as the mean of items, with higher scores indicating greater perceived cohesion.
Time frame: Baseline (T0, pre-intervention; up to 5 minutes), Week 3 (T1; up to 5 minutes), and Week 6 (T2, post-intervention; up to 5 minutes)
Psychological Safety (Edmondson 7-item Team Psychological Safety scale)
Psychological safety assessed with the 7-item Team Psychological Safety scale. Items are answered on a 1-7 Likert-type response format; negatively keyed items are reverse-scored. A composite psychological safety score is computed as the mean of the 7 items, with higher scores indicating greater perceived psychological safety within the team.
Time frame: Baseline (T0, pre-intervention; up to 5 minutes), Week 3 (T1; up to 5 minutes), and Week 6 (T2, post-intervention; up to 5 minutes)
Peer Trust (HERO horizontal trust, 4-item team-referent measure)
Peer trust within the squad assessed using a 4-item team-referent horizontal trust measure drawn from the HERO organisational trust framework. Items are answered on a 0-6 response scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree). A composite peer trust score is computed as the mean of the 4 items, with higher values indicating greater perceived horizontal (peer) trust among teammates.
Time frame: Baseline (T0, pre-intervention; up to 5 minutes), Week 3 (T1; up to 5 minutes), and Week 6 (T2, post-intervention; up to 5 minutes)
Team Identification (6-item team-referent identification scale)
Team identification assessed using a 6-item team-referent identification measure adapted from Mael \& Ashforth. Items are answered on a 1-7 Likert-type response format. A composite identification score is computed as the mean of the 6 items, with higher scores indicating stronger identification with the team.
Time frame: Baseline (T0, pre-intervention; up to 5 minutes), Week 3 (T1; up to 5 minutes), and Week 6 (T2, post-intervention; up to 5 minutes)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.