The Development of an Individuals-Within-Dyads Multilevel Performance Measure for an Interactive Cheerleading Task

Abstract

Dyadic interactions generate direct relationships in which interdependent sport behaviors can be destructured. The focus of this investigation was to develop a two-level performance framework and corresponding measures of individual- and dyad-level sport performance. The described procedures surrounded a male-female cheerleading paired-stunt task, as only team-level outcomes are currently assessed during sport competition. Multiple observers employed the developed measures (α = .89 - .96; ICC = .87 - .95) to assess the videoed performance of 132 individuals nested within 66 intact dyads competing at a national competition. Unique information is revealed from each partner’s individual-level score, disjointedly assessed, and their dyad-level score, an assessment of combined efforts. Score differences are especially apparent when in contrast to an aggregated dyad-level score. A discussion of the outlined approach and interpretation of multilevel occurrences of interdependent processes and outcomes of sporting performance is provided.