Clutch performance in sport and exercise: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

Improved performance under pressure in sport and exercise has been termed clutch performance. The aim of this study was to systematically review, synthesise, and evaluate existing research on clutch performance. Specifically, this review explored: (i) research designs used to examine clutch performance; (ii) definitions of clutch performance; (iii) theoretical frameworks underlying clutch performance; (iv) how clutch performance has been measured; (v) the level of supporting evidence for clutch performance; and, (vi) evidence regarding how clutch performances occur. Ten electronic databases were searched in October 2019, with 27 studies found to meet the eligibility criteria included in the review. The results indicate that there is considerable definitional, conceptual, and measurement heterogeneity in the field of clutch performance. Multiple, conflicting definitions of clutch performance were identified in the literature, which consequently led to the adoption of two distinct approaches to examining clutch performance as: (i) an ability; or, (ii) an isolated episode of performance. These differing approaches have resulted in disparate measurement strategies, and accordingly, there was mixed evidence for the concept of clutch performance and how it occurs. In response to these issues, we propose four principles to help guide future research towards refined explanations of clutch performance.

KEYWORDS:

• Performance under pressure
• subjective experience
• psychology
• optimal performance
• anxiety

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 ‘An activity involving physical exertion, skill and/or hand-eye coordination as the primary focus of the activity, with elements of competition where rules and patterns of behaviour governing the activity exist formally through organizations; and may be participated in either individually or as a team’ (WHO, 2018, p. 101).

2 ‘A subcategory of physical activity that is planned, structured, repetitive, and purposive, in the sense that the improvement or maintenance of one or more components of physical fitness is the objective’ (WHO, 2018, p. 98).

3 To ensure the most appropriate tool was selected, three appraisal tools were piloted with five of the included papers, which were of a diverse methodology. These were the QATSDD (Sirriyeh et al., 2012), Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (Pluye et al., 2011), and the QualSyst (Kmet et al., 2004). Following piloting, the QATSDD (Sirriyeh et al., 2012) was considered the most appropriate tool for the present review.

4 Career-based interviews seek general understanding of a phenomenon over an athlete’s career or significant period of time (Swann et al., 2018). Event-focused interviews collect data soon after one specific event (e.g., within hours/days), which allows for more detailed and chronological recall of the event (Swann et al., 2018)

5 The sample size from Otten and Barrett (2013) was not included in this calculation, as it was unclear how many athletes appeared more than once (e.g., as pitching, batting, and team statistics were calculated for multiple seasons, meaning the same athlete may have been observed more than once).

6 Not all studies designed to examine clutch ability explicitly investigated whether the concept existed. Rather, four studies (Otten & Barrett, 2013; Cao et al., 2011; Owens et al., 2016; Worthy et al., 2009) assumed a priori that clutch performance, or clutch ability, existed.