Rune Høigaard

• Høigaard, Rune; aas, karina andersen; Sæther, Stig Arve & Peters, Derek Melville (2026). Sport Directors’ Perceptions of Successful ‘Road Captains’ in Men’s Professional Cycling. Journal of Science and Cycling. 15(1). doi: https:/www.jsc-journal.com/index.php/JSC/article/view/1103. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This qualitative study explores professional team sport directors’ perceptions of the attributes required for successful Road Captains (RCs) in men’s elite road cycling representing a specific organizational context. Six sport directors from one UCI-ranked men’s professional cycling team participated in semi-structured interviews. Five of the participants had previously competed as professional cyclists, accumulating 57 years of racing experience across 19 elite cycling teams spanning UCI Continental, ProTeam, and World Tour levels. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis, adopting a combined inductive–deductive approach within an interpretivist framework. The analysis yielded four primary themes and one overarching meta-theme. Personal characteristics included self-confidence, composure, and a strong work ethic. Race smartness comprised thorough preparation and tactical knowledge, enabling RCs to make rapid, high-quality decisions under pressure. Team competence encompassed effective communication, care and support, and bonding behaviors. Leadership behavior involved role-modelling, decisive action, and tailored motivational strategies. The meta-theme, “the hub of the team,” described the RC as the communication and operational link between sport directors in the team car and riders in the peloton. Participants emphasized that successful RCs combine tactical intelligence with interpersonal influence and in many ways, act as cultural architects who translate management strategy into coordinated team action and develop and maintain the interaction in the team. Findings are aligned and discussed with transformational and the social identity approach to leadership. The results provide factors to consider when selecting RCs and offer targets for development programs. Integrating principles from athlete- and coach-leadership training could help cultivate the identified competencies, improving intrateam communication, cohesion, and performance in the elite cycling context.

• Roksvaag, Magnus; Jones, Gareth; Haugen, Tommy; Sæther, Stig Arve & Høigaard, Rune (2026). Coaches’ Perception of Team Cohesion in National Teams. Scandinavian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (SJSEP). 8, p. 97–106. doi: https:/tidsskrift.dk/sjsep/article/view/162423. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The main purpose of this study was to investigate how coaches experience and describe the phenomenon of team cohesion in national teams. Eight national team coaches from individual and team sports were interviewed. The interview guide was rooted in the theory of cohesion in sports groups and reflexive thematic analysis was utilized as our methodological approach. The results of the analysis identified four main themes related to cohesion: 1) Being part of a national team is attractive, 2) Quality relationships, 3) Formal and informal structure, and 4) Adaptive communication. The findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of cohesion in national teams through the coaches’ perspectives.

• Haugen, Tommy; Stenling, Andreas; Peters, Derek Melville; Martin, Luc & Høigaard, Rune (2026). Psychometric Evaluation of the Norwegian Translation of the Group Conflict Questionnaire. Scandinavian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (SJSEP). 8, p. 87–96. doi: 10.7146/sjsep.v8i.166850. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Perspectives on group dynamics usually acknowledge conflict in teams as unavoidable, necessitating that it be acknowledged and dealt with to develop effective and functional teams. A psychometrically sound measure is warranted to advance our understanding of this phenomenon. Based on the importance of investigating and understanding conflict in sport teams, the purpose of this study was to translate the Group Conflict Questionnaire into Norwegian using recommended scale adaptation and translation procedures and to examine the psychometric properties of the scale in Norwegian adult and youth interdependent sport team athletes. 621 recreational team-sport athletes between ages 13 and 35 were randomly split in half for exploratory factor-structure testing and a confirmatory cross-validation of the most appropriate model. The factor structure of the scale was tested using both Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling. Bifactor solutions were also tested. The results indicated support for a two-factor model with subsequent acceptable model-fit for the scale. The results do, however, suggest a somewhat suboptimal scale in need of additional revisions and validation, because of concerning cross-loadings and potential issues with discriminant validity. The study investigates previously untested models of the GCQ, adding valuable information about the underlying structure of the group-conflict phenomenon.

• Laxdal, Aron Gauti; Kristiansen, Elsa & Høigaard, Rune (2026). How Katrine Lunde Became the Most Decorated Female Handball Player in History. Journal of Expertise. 9(2), p. 136–153. doi: https:/www.journalofexpertise.org/articles/volume9_issue2/index.html. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  How does Katrine Lunde describe and make sense of her journey to becoming the most decorated female handball player in history? How does she understand her ability to sustain world-class performances over more than two decades? These questions are explored in this qualitative single-case study of arguably the greatest female handball goalkeeper in the history of the sport. We utilized two distinct approaches when interviewing the athlete, namely the timeline approach and the photo elicitation approach. The interview was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis and interpreted using the bioecological model as a theoretical framework. The analysis yielded three themes: (1) The player: I don’t have to win, I just don’t want to lose; (2) The family: Whatever you choose to do, be the best; and (3) The national team: A match made in heaven. Katrine’s story highlights the importance she places on adaptation, discipline, and support in making sense of her career. Her journey offers insights into how long-term success in elite sport may be understood, experienced, and sustained by an athlete competing at the highest level.

• Sæther, Stig Arve; Butt, Joanne; Eubank, Martin; Mehus, Ingar; Høigaard, Rune & Aspvik, Nils Petter (2026). Perceived psychological stressors in female age-specific national team players. Frontiers in Psychology. 17, p. 1–7. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1803701. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction: Psychological stressors have become a natural part of the process of developing skills in talent development environments of youth athletes. However, there is little research on psychological stressors among talented female athletes and how this is impacted by an athletes’ perfectionism. This study investigated how female national team players in football, handball, and ice-hockey in Norway (controlled for age, sport, overload injury and playing time) experienced perceived psychological stressors (PPS) and how the two perfectionism dimensions - evaluative concerns (EC) and personal strivings (PS) impact on PPS.Methods: The sample in this study was 145 female (Handball 27%, Ice-Hockey 43% and Football 30%) players selected to an age-specific national team of U16-U19 (M = 16.01, SD = 1.19). Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to test the scale reliability of the factors; PPS (α = 0.88), EC (α = 0.84), PS (α = 0.78). A linear regression analysis was conducted with PPS as the dependent variable.Results: The linear regression analysis with PPS as the dependent variable, with the independent variables EC, PS, self-reported playing time, OI and age, explained 25% of the variance in PPS and was statistically significant (p < 0.001). EC (p < 0.01) and OI (p < 0.05) had a significant positive association with PPS. Handball players scored significantly lower on PPS compared with ice-hockey players (p < 0.01) and football players (p < 0.05). There was however no significant difference in PS, age, and playing time on PPS.Discussion: The current study highlights the importance of key stakeholders being aware that athletes who score high on EC are more vulnerable to everyday stress, and that athletes are particularly vulnerable to stress when they are injured.

• Kristiansen, Elsa; Rødal, Brage Kampenhaug; Sofienlund, Lage & Høigaard, Rune (2026). Konnerud IL – en breddeklubb med et eliteteam i langrenn. In Sæther, Stig Arve & Høigaard, Rune (Ed.), Toppidrett i Skandinavia: En samfunnsvitenskapelig forskningsantologi om utviklings- og prestasjonsmiljø. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202916046. p. 405–422. doi: 10.23865/cdf.282.ch18. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In this chapter, the aim is to describe and provide insight into what characterises Konnerud IL, a local sports club that has established a highperformance cell in cross-country skiing. We have conducted two extended focus group interviews with coaches, leaders, volunteers, and athletes from the club, in addition to individual conversations. The team’s culture was defined by training quality, togetherness, simplicity, joy, and love. ‘Peer learning’ and ‘master learning’ were key strategies for maintaining high training quality in the performance culture. It is a combination of various factors and stakeholders, both grassroot and elite level, that have been crucial in creating a performance culture at Konnerud. Over the years, Konnerud IL has accumulated a lot of leadership expertise and event management, especially through the annual hosting of the World Cup sprint in Drammen, which also generates financial benefits for the club professional operation. Many interviewees emphasized that it takes a lot of work to maintain this kind of performance culture. The training group exerted a lot of humbleness towards the results they have achieved and the requirements to maintain and preserve the culture obtained in the group.

• Hagen, Silje Caroline Ravneng; Sæther, Stig Arve & Høigaard, Rune (2026). Psykologisk trygghet i et eliteserielag i håndball. In Sæther, Stig Arve & Høigaard, Rune (Ed.), Toppidrett i Skandinavia: En samfunnsvitenskapelig forskningsantologi om utviklings- og prestasjonsmiljø. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202916046. p. 387–403. doi: 10.23865/cdf.282.ch17. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Psychological safety in a team sports context relates to the members’ experience of acceptance and opportunity to ask questions, discuss, speak up, try something new, ask for help and feedback, and have the opportunity to make mistakes; without being rejected, ridiculed, or punished. The purpose of the study was to investigate psychological safety in an elite sports context. The sample in this qualitative study conducted with semi-structured interviews was 17 female handball players and the head coach from an elite handball team. Our findings show that psychological safety in a performance-oriented elite sports environment can be a fluid concept, and where the athletes experienced that they could take interpersonal risks without fear of reprisals from their teammates. They expressed high levels of psychological safety in being able to experiment, make mistakes, speak their minds, and express concerns with their teammates. However, many of the players expressed lower levels of psychological safety in the team when the head coach was present both in training and in matches. Furthermore, the results showed that the athletes and the head coach had different understandings of errors and how to interpret and react to errors committed by the athletes. The study highlights the importance of having a common understanding and interpretation of errors, which could provide increased understanding of each other’s reaction patterns and the quality of the feedback and the communication. The study illustrates that although psychological safety is an important team dynamics phenomenon, one must take into account that there are large individual differences in the perceived degree of safety.

• Høigaard, Rune; Hofseth, Erik & Schei, Gaute Sørensen (2026). Teampsykologi i eliteidrett: teamoptimalisering – prestasjon og resiliens. In Sæther, Stig Arve & Høigaard, Rune (Ed.), Toppidrett i Skandinavia: En samfunnsvitenskapelig forskningsantologi om utviklings- og prestasjonsmiljø. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202916046. p. 363–386. doi: 10.23865/cdf.282.ch16. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article presents a series of psychological skill-based interventions for team optimization in elite sports. Traditionally, team building has often been limited to intensive sessions in the pre-season, but there is a growing need for knowledge and competence related to continuous and systematic work with team dynamics throughout the season. The main purpose of this article is to describe various psychological skill-based interventions that have been tested in an elite sports context. The interventions have been tested on two elite teams in handball and one regional elite team in cross-country skiing, with a total of 38 athletes. The work session lasted an average of 45 minutes and were carried out before or after training. The evaluation of the interventions, based on interviews with three head coaches, shows that clear values, continuous work with cohesion, and a structured approach to team building are crucial for team optimization. The interventions have contributed to increased awareness of key team factors, improved communication and cooperation, and strengthened the ability to handle challenges. The article concludes that targeted and time-saving psychological skill interventions can have a positive impact on team dynamics in elite sports. However, it is important to emphasize the need for continuous evaluation, adaptation and further development of the interventions.

• Høigaard, Rune; Eriksson, Brian Peter; Hedegart, Vetle Berget; Sæther, Stig Arve & Haugen, Tommy (2026). Kohesjon i landslag – fra et spillerperspektiv. In Sæther, Stig Arve & Høigaard, Rune (Ed.), Toppidrett i Skandinavia: En samfunnsvitenskapelig forskningsantologi om utviklings- og prestasjonsmiljø. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202916046. p. 271–289. doi: 10.23865/cdf.282.ch12. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The purpose of this study was to investigate national team players’ experiences and descriptions of group cohesion in national teams. Four women and three men who in total have played over 800 international matches in football or handball for Norway participated in the study. Data was collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The results show that athletes perceive cohesion as an important factor for the national team to function optimally. The analysis reveals that athletes perceive cohesion as a multidimensional phenomenon consisting of the following four main categories: 1) Structure: the instrumental interaction within the team, such as norms and rules. 2) Prestige: recognition, pride, and status associated with being part of a national team group. 3) Psychological safety: the security and trust that players experience in team relationships. 4) Belonging: the social and emotional bonds between members of the national team. The implications of these results suggest that the development and influence of cohesion can be approached in various ways and with different focus depending on the needs and objectives of the national team.

• Tønne, Fredrik; Whitehead, Amy; Butt, Joanne; Eubank, Martin; Høigaard, Rune & Sæther, Stig Arve (2026). Norwegian elite handball coaches’ perceptions of high-performance coaching and the development of talented handball players. International journal of sports science & coaching. ISSN 1747-9541. p. 1–10. doi: https:/journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17479541261441404. Full text in Research Archive
• Sigvartsen, Kristian Kjølstad; Sæther, Stig Arve; Haugen, Tommy; Erikstad, Martin Kjeøen; Peters, Derek Melville & Høigaard, Rune (2026). Perceived destructive coach leadership behavior in elite team sports. International Journal of Sport Psychology. ISSN 0047-0767. 57(1), p. 39–58. doi: 10.7352/IJSP.2026.57.039. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  There is agreement among athletes, coaches, and sport researchers that leadership is one of the most significant factors when performing and operating in elite sport. There is, however, a lack of understanding of how the behaviors of coaches as leaders could be considered as destructive. The aim of this study was to explore elite sport athletes’ perceptions and experiences of destructive coach leadership behavior. Informants in this study were a convenience sample of eight (four female and four males) current or former World Class/international elite athletes in handball and soccer, with an average of 12 years of experience at elite level. Using semi-structured interviews and conducting a reflective thematic analysis we identified three main categories of perceived destructive leadership behavior from the coaches described as: Active Destructive Behaviors; Passive Destructive Behaviors, and Incompetent Coach Behaviors. Recognizing these behaviors is the first step in attempting to eradicate them.

• Hüffmeier, Joachim Friedrich; Torka, Ann-Kathrin; Høigaard, Rune & Haugen, Tommy (2026). Team- or Reward-Induced Effort Gains in Track and Field Relays? A Replication and Extension of Schleu et al. (2019). Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology (JSEP). ISSN 0895-2779. 48(1), p. 22–34. doi: 10.1123/jsep.2025-0001. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In 2019, Schleu et al. showed that 400-m runners at major championships exhibited team effort gains—they ran faster in the relay than in the individual competition. However, due to low statistical power, it remains unclear whether these findings are replicable. In a replication and extension of this study, we wanted to find out whether its findings replicate in a sample of 1,718 observations from 1,270 U.S. college athletes and whether effort expenditure is driven by working in a team or the chance of valuable outcomes in the relay. As shown by linear mixed modeling and regression analyses, runners exhibited effort gains only if their relays had high medal chances and if they had not been successful in the individual competition (i.e., did not place first to third). Moreover, relay members who had been successful in the individual competition showed effort losses . Overall, effort expenditure was thus driven by rewards.

• Larsen, Marie Lind; Sæther, Stig Arve; Whitehead, Amy & Høigaard, Rune (2026). Team trust in professional women's cycling teams. International journal of sports science & coaching. ISSN 1747-9541. doi: 10.1177/17479541251413089. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The purpose of this study was to explore professional female cyclists’ understanding and experience of team trust in road cycling, with a focus on the factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of trust, and furthermore the consequences of team trust for the team. Based on a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten female riders with experience from various continental teams. The data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis with an abductive approach, grounded in a critical realist epistemology. The study aims to address a gap in the literature, as team trust in professional sports remains underexplored, despite its documented importance for collaboration and performance in teams. The results showed team trust to be a relational and multidimensional phenomenon, shaped by assessments of individual characteristics, as well as relational and structural team factors. Furthermore, the results indicate that key antecedents of team trust encompass both individual attributes and team level factors, which together generate a range of positive outcomes for interpersonal relationships, team processes, and overall performance.

• Bergström, Max; Mehus, Ingar; Aspvik, Nils Petter; Høigaard, Rune & Sæther, Stig Arve (2025). ‘Same sport, different game’: male and female junior Norwegian national ice hockey players’ perceptions of their talent development environments. Sport in Society: Cultures, Commerce, Media, Politics. ISSN 1743-0437. p. 1–18. doi: 10.1080/17430437.2025.2450798. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Women’s ice hockey has experienced rapid changes in the last decades. Nevertheless, there is still a gap in the preconditions between male and female players. The aim of the present study was to explore how Norwegian junior ice hockey players perceive their talent development environments (TDEs) and view their future athletic career. In total, ten female and ten male players participated in qualitative focus group interviews. The results show that female and male players perceive their TDEs and future career prospects differently. Compared to male players, female players perceived less support and a lack of competition. Furthermore, while male players internalized a singled-minded focus on sport to become professional athletes, the female players viewed a professional career as unrealistic. Continued work on improving the TDEs for female ice hockey players and their opportunities to play professionally is necessary to make ice hockey more gender equal.

• Bergström, Max; Høigaard, Rune; Aspvik, Nils Petter & Sæther, Stig Arve (2025). “It's unrealistic”: experiences of Swedish elite female ice hockey players considering parenthood. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 7. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1548261. Full text in Research Archive
• Torvik, Lina Marie Johansen; Aspvik, Nils Petter; Sæther, Stig Arve & Høigaard, Rune (2025). Perceived social support in the rehabilitation process among elite female handball players. Scandinavian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (SJSEP). p. 10–18. doi: 10.7146/sjsep.v7i.149077. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The complexity which characterizes elite-level handball imposes great demands on the player to practice varied skills and presents a high training load, consequently increasing the risk of overtraining and injuries. The purpose of this study was to investigate injured elite female handball players who had returned to active play at the elite level, assessing their perception and experience of social support in the rehabilitation process. Nine elite female players in the Norwegian Elite League (Rema-1000 league) who had suffered an injury that restricted their sport participation for a mean recovery period of 46 weeks were interviewed. The findings show that each of the groups (coach, physiotherapists, teammates, and family and friends) provided different types of social support, yet they were all considered crucial for optimal rehabilitation. In various ways, the support the players received helped them feel part of the team, motivated, and optimally challenged to develop as handball players and to feel safe and cared for during the rehabilitation process. Based on the results, we argue that coaches should be aware of the positive consequences of sufficient social support during the rehabilitation process.

• Peters, Derek; Høigaard, Rune & Francis, John William (2024). Editorial: Adapted & (dis)ability sport. Frontiers in Psychology. 15. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1515330. Full text in Research Archive
• Erikstad, Martin Kjeøen; Høigaard, Rune; Côté, Jean & Haugen, Tommy (2024). Youth sport coaches' perceptions of participating in the Transformational Coaching Workshop – A qualitative evaluation. International journal of sports science & coaching. ISSN 1747-9541. doi: 10.1177/17479541241260984. Full text in Research Archive
• Bergström, Max; Okkenhaug, Ingrid; Høigaard, Rune & Sæther, Stig Arve (2024). Aldersbestemte landslagsspillere i håndball sin opplevelse av eget utviklingsmiljø. Scandinavian Sport Studies Forum. 15, p. 131–152. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Research into talented athletes has a strong tradition within sports sciences research where central questions deal with athletes’ development processes which take place in various phases and transitions. Through the use of focus group interviews, this study has examined 20 (10 female and 10 male) youth national team players (U19) in handball and their experience of their own development environment, and how their expectations related to a professional career as senior players were related to gender differences. The main findings in the study were the athletes lack of specific career goals, nor were there any clear gender differences in how the athletes described their own experiences. The athletes experienced two main challenges in the form of completing a dual career (school vs. sports), and ambiguous advice from the coaches related to their development as handball players. The analysis further showed that the players had many similarities in their answers, which prompted the research group to reflect on whether the players had a normative understanding of how ideal development takes place, or whether the method (focus group interview) and implementation could explain this similarity in perceptions. In the discussion, we take a closer look at two conditions that may have influenced the results in the form of; a) the research context and the sample consisting of age-specific national team players and not in a club context (normativity, self-presentation), and b) the significance of using a focus group interview within this context (conformity, social comparison). In conclusion, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using interviews and especially focus group interviews among athletes in an age-specific national team context.

• Schei, Gaute Sørensen; Haugen, Tommy & Høigaard, Rune (2024). Treneren som identitetsleder : En undersøkelse av sammenhengen mellom identitetsledelse og humorklima i norsk lagidrett. In Næss, Hans Erik (Eds.), Idrettsledelse i praksis. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202820794. p. 173–189. Full text in Research Archive
• Andreasen, Eva Mari; Berg, Helen; Steinsbekk, Aslak Irgens; Høigaard, Rune & Haraldstad, Kristin (2023). The effect of using desktop VR to practice preoperative handovers with the ISBAR approach: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Medical Education. 23. doi: 10.1186/s12909-023-04966-y. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Aim The aim was to investigate whether second-year undergraduate nursing students practicing the Identification-Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (ISBAR) communication approach in a desktop virtual reality (VR) application had a non-inferior learning outcome compared with the traditional paper-based method when sorting patient information correctly based on the ISBAR structure. Methods A non-inferior parallel group assessor blinded randomized controlled trial, conducted in simulation sessions as part of preparation for clinical placements in March and April 2022. After a 20-minute introductory session, the participants were randomized to self-practice the ISBAR approach for 45 minutes in groups of three in either an interactive desktop VR application (intervention) or traditional paper-based (TP) simulation. The primary outcome concerned the proportion of nursing students who sorted all 11 statements of patient information in the correct ISBAR order within a time limit of 5 min. The predefined, one-sided, non-inferiority limit was 13 percentage points in favor of traditional paper-based simulation. Results Of 210 eligible students, 175 (83%) participated and were allocated randomly to the VR (N = 87) or TP (N = 88) group. Practicing in the desktop VR application (36% of everything correct) was non-inferior to the traditional paper-based method (22% everything correct), with a difference of 14.2 percentage points (95% CI 0.7 to 27.1) in favor of VR. The VR group repeated the simulation 0.6 times more (95% CI 0.5 to 0.7). Twenty percent more (95% CI 6.9 to 31.6) of the students in the VR group reported liked how they practiced. All the other outcomes including the System Usability Scale indicated non-inferiority or were in favor of VR. Conclusions Self-practicing with the ISBAR approach in desktop VR was non-inferior to the traditional paper-based method and gave a superior learning outcome.

• Pusey, Christopher Garry; Haugen, Tommy; Høigaard, Rune; Ivarsson, Andreas; Røshol, Andreas Waaler & Laxdal, Aron Gauti (2023). Put Some Music on: The Effects of pre-Task Music Tempo on Arousal, Affective State, Perceived Exertion, and Anaerobic Performance. Music & Science. 6, p. 1–9. doi: 10.1177/20592043231174388. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Research on the ergogenic effects of music on athletic performance usually includes multiple antecedents simultaneously. Consequently, this study set out to isolate a single antecedent using a highly controlled experiment. More specifically, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of pre-task, slow- and fast-tempo music on arousal, affective state, perceived exertion, and anaerobic rowing performance by isolating music tempo as the sole intrinsic musical factor. Forty young adults (male = 23, female = 17) participated in three trials where they all were exposed to no-music, slow-tempo, and fast-tempo music conditions in a randomized order. The music was exclusively composed for this study and equally novel for all participants. It was based on the same electronic track with a techno-orientation rendered to both 110 (slow-tempo) and 140 (fast-tempo) BPM. Following music exposure, the participants were momentarily asked to report levels of felt arousal and affective state before being instructed to perform a 30-s maximal rowing test on an ergometer. Upon completion of each rowing test, subjects were then asked to report their perceived exertion. Both fast- and slow-tempo pre-task music exposure led to increased arousal and positive affective state when compared to no music. Fast-tempo music led to a significantly higher mean power output than slow-tempo music. No significant differences were found for peak watt output or rating of perceived exertion when comparing all conditions. These findings suggest that exposure to pre-task music may offer positive psychological benefits prior to commencing anaerobic sporting tasks. Results also suggest that fast-tempo music may have an ergogenic effect on anaerobic performance.

• Danielsen, Line Dverseth; Jakobsen, Arne Martin; Peters, Derek & Høigaard, Rune (2023). Considerations Perceived by Coaches as Specific to Coaching Elite Women’s Soccer Teams. Scandinavian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (SJSEP). 5, p. 1–9. doi: 10.7146/sjsep.v5i.130311. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study investigated challenges perceived by coaches when working with elite women’s soccer teams. Six men and four women coaches with experience in the first Norwegian League or Norwegian national team participated. Semi-structured interviews were carried out, and the data was analyzed using thematic interpretational analysis. Participants identified professionalism, early-career termination, mental characteristics, intrateam communication, romantic relationships, access to the locker rooms (men only), and team selection (women only) as the specific challenges they face when coaching these teams. The findings are discussed in relation to ensuring that good performance and development are achieved when coaching elite women’s soccer teams and helping future coaches optimize their coaching techniques when working with elite women players.

• Andreasen, Eva Mari; Høigaard, Rune; Berg, Helen; Steinsbekk, Aslak Irgens & Haraldstad, Kristin (2023). The perceived usability of desktop VR for practicing preoperative handovers using ISBAR among nursing students. Science Talks. 5. doi: 10.1016/j.sctalk.2023.100140. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Virtual reality (VR) is an evolving teaching method (Jacobs et al., 2022). However, there is no VR solution for practicing systematic and precise communication, which is a crucial nursing competence during handovers when patients undergo surgery (Gordon, 2018). It is recommended to use the identification-situation-background-assessment-recommendation (ISBAR) approach, which is evidence-based and recommended for communicating patient information between healthcare providers (Shahid & Thomas, 2018). VR has great potential to improve learning outcomes (Foronda et al., 2020; Kyaw et al., 2019). Therefore, a preoperative ISBAR desktop VR application (henceforth application) was developed for undergraduate nursing students to practice handovers. This study evaluated the perceived usability of this application solution involving nine second-year undergraduate nursing students aged 22–29 years at a university in Norway. The participants completed the System Usability Score (SUS) (Brooke, 1996). The students found the application to be a highly motivational learning tool and said it provided interactive learning experiences that were engaging and close to practice. The mean score on the SUS was 83 out of a possible 100 (standard deviation 18.8), which translates to excellent usability (Fig. 1), which means that nursing students found it easy to complete tasks efficiently and effectively.

• Schei, Gaute Sørensen; Høigaard, Rune; Erikstad, Martin Kjeøen; Ivarsson, Andreas & Haugen, Tommy (2023). Identity leadership and cohesion in elite sport: The mediating role of intra-team communication. Heliyon. 9(7). doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17853. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  One perspective on leadership that has recently gained increased attention in sport is identity leadership; however, research on elite sport teams is still in its infancy. Thus, the main purpose of this research is to investigate identity leadership in elite team sports in relation to task cohesion, and subsequently to explore the mediating role of the intra-team communication dimensions of acceptance and distinctiveness. A cross-sectional design was employed and 441 elite athletes from division 1 and division 2 in handball and ice hockey participated in the present study. Structural equation modeling was used to assess relationships between identity leadership and task cohesion, and the mediating role of acceptance and distinctiveness. Results revealed that identity leadership positively predicted task cohesion, and that this relationship was mediated by intrateam communication acceptance. In conclusion, findings in the present study expand our understanding of performance-related benefits of identity leadership in elite sport.

• Giske, Rune; Gjerde, Joar; Høigaard, Rune & Johansen, Bjørn Tore (2022). Shared Mental Models: National Representative Coaches’ Thinking on Importance, Characteristics, and Development. Journal of Expertise. 5(1), p. 12–28. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The aims of the study were to explore how national representative handball coaches reflect on the cognitive properties of the team and how these attributes are developed through team practice. A theoretical (shared mental models) thematic analysis was conducted, and five coaches with extensive experience from the national team and elite clubs participated. The data were analyzed with regard to three overarching topics: importance, characteristics, and development of shared mental models. The interviews revealed that measures intended to influence a shared mental model permeate team practice and underpin the assumption of opponent-specific shared mental models. Alignment between briefings and debriefings as well as field practice were emphasized and used to enhance a shared mental model and understood as measures that facilitate pattern recognition and primed decisions. Single-loop as well as double-loop learning were identified as coaching initiatives to promote the development of shared mental models. Systematic practice with the goal of promoting coordination through repetition of the coordinative patterns in critical game situations was emphasized. Implicit communication is a characteristic of teams sharing a mental model, and distinct proactive bodily movements were emphasized as a crucial requirement for coordination. A model was elaborated to show how the categories can be understood in the cyclic relation between matches and the development of shared mental models.

• Schei, Gaute Sørensen; Haugen, Tommy; Jones, Gareth; Sæther, Stig Arve & Høigaard, Rune (2022). A Qualitative Exploration of Collective Collapse in a Norwegian Qualifying Premier League Soccer Match—The Successful Team's Perspective. Frontiers in Psychology. 12. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.777597. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The current case study focused on a crucial match in the qualification for the Norwegian Premier League (Eliteserien). In the match, the participants of the study experienced a radical change in performance toward the end of the second half, from being behind by several goals to scoring 3 goals in 6 min and winning the qualifying game. The purpose of this study was therefore to examine the perceptions and reflections of players and coaches (sporting director) on what occurred within their own team and within the opposing team. The momentum shift in the opposition team can be described as a collective collapse. In the study, the theoretical collective collapse process model was used as a guide for the design of the interview questions where five semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants involved in the match (players, coach, and sporting director). The participants watched excerpt clips from the match to recall the main events, which they subsequently reflected on. The results highlighted the importance of the “before-game” aspects (i.e., pressure, first game result), the “during-the-game” behavior (i.e., goals scored, playing with a low degree of risk) and the cognitive (i.e., feelings of pressure, despair) and emotional reactions (i.e., frustration, joy) to the match unfolding. In addition, social contagion processes were evident in both teams relating to emotion and behavior. Overall, the data from this study investigated the general structure of the process model of collective sport team collapse and found support for the notion of a temporal cascade of causes for a team collapse. Future research is encouraged to examine this model, to provide guidance to teams, coaches, and sport psychologists in order to make recommendations for dealing with collective collapse in sport teams.

• Hem, Marchus; Fuhre, Jan; Høigaard, Rune & Sæther, Stig Arve (2022). Talent development abroad. Young football players’ experiences and challenges on being recruited to English academies. Soccer and Society. ISSN 1466-0970. 23(8), p. 1118–1129. doi: 10.1080/14660970.2022.2038573. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The aim of the current study was to gain insight into talented Norwegian football players who made a club transfer to an English football academy, by investigating the players’ choice of academy, main challenges upon arrival, how they settled in both athletically and socially and their day-to-day life in the academy. Eight Norwegian players registered in an English professional football academy between the ages of 16 and 18 years were interviewed in retrospect. The challenges that the players met were mostly related to their efforts to develop as players, such as going into an extremely high-performance environment, which was quite different from what they perceived in their original club. Even though the transfer to an English professional club seemed like the natural choice to make, the players experienced a cultural shock not just athletically, but also socially and emotionally in their everyday life in a host family.

• Andreasen, Eva Mari; Høigaard, Rune; Berg, Helen; Steinsbekk, Aslak & Haraldstad, Kristin (2022). Usability Evaluation of the Preoperative ISBAR (Identification, Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation) Desktop Virtual Reality Application: Qualitative Observational Study. JMIR Human Factors. 9(4). doi: 10.2196/40400. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Systematic communication, such as the ISBAR (identification, situation, background, assessment, recommendation) approach, comprises a generic, transferable nontechnical skill. It can be used during the handover of patients set to undergo surgery and can be practiced in various ways, including virtual reality (VR). VR increasingly has been implemented and valued in nursing education as a positive contribution to teach students about pre- and postoperative nursing. A new nonimmersive 3D learning activity called the Preoperative ISBAR Desktop VR Application has been developed for undergraduate nursing students to learn preoperative handover using the ISBAR approach. However, the usability of this learning activity has not been studied. Objective: This study aimed to investigate how second-year undergraduate nursing students evaluated the usability of the Preoperative ISBAR Desktop VR Application. Methods: This was a qualitative study with observation and interviews. The inclusion criteria were undergraduate second-year nursing students of varying ages, gender, and anticipated technological competence. The System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire was used to get a score on overall usability. Results: A total of 9 second-year nursing students aged 22-29 years participated in the study. The average score on the SUS was 83 (range 0-100), which equals a “B” on the graded scale and is excellent for an adjective-grade rating. The students expressed increased motivation to learn while working in self-instructed desktop VR. Still, a few technical difficulties occurred, and some students reported that they experienced some problems comprehending the instructions provided in the application. Long written instructions and a lack of self-pacing built into the application were considered limitations. Conclusions:The nursing students found the application to be usable overall, giving it an excellent usability score and noting that the application provided opportunities for active participation, which was motivational and facilitated their perceived learning outcomes. The next version of the application, to be used in a randomized controlled trial, will be upgraded to address technological and comprehension issues.

• Gangsø, Kristian S.; Aspvik, Nils Petter; Mehus, Ingar; Høigaard, Rune & Sæther, Stig Arve (2021). Talent Development Environments in Football: Comparing the Top-Five and Bottom-Five-Ranked Football Academies in Norway. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH). ISSN 1661-7827. 18(3). doi: 10.3390/ijerph18031321. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: The aim of this study was to examine junior-elite football players’ perception of their talent development environment by comparing clubs ranked as the top-five and bottom-five in the 2017 Norwegian academy classification. Methods: In total, 92 male junior-elite football players recruited from under-19 teams from five professional football club academies took part in the study. The Talent Development Environment Questionnaire (TDEQ-5; Martindale et al. 2010) was used to measure the players’ perceptions of their team environment. Results: The subscale long-term development focus and support network had the highest score and indicated that they perceived that the environment was high quality with respect to those factors. Players from the top-five-ranked clubs perceived their development environments to be significantly more positive with respect to holistic quality preparation, alignment of expectations, communication and, compared to players from the bottom-five-ranked clubs. Conclusions: The players’ perceptions of the talent development environment seem to be in alignment of the academy classification undertaken by the Norwegian top football association.

• Erikstad, Martin Kjeøen; Høigaard, Rune; Côté, Jean; Turnnidge, Jennifer & Haugen, Tommy (2021). An Examination of the Relationship Between Coaches’ Transformational Leadership and Athletes’ Personal and Group Characteristics in Elite Youth Soccer. Frontiers in Psychology. 12. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.707669. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  There is a growing body of the literature highlighting the positive impact of transformational leadership behaviours across contexts, including sport. However, there is a lack of knowledge of this relationship within elite sport settings. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between elite youth athletes’ perceptions of coaches’ transformational coaching-behaviours and variables that have been linked to transformational leadership in other settings (i.e., group cohesion, motivational climate, self-regulation of learning and athlete satisfaction). Norwegian elite youth soccer players (n = 753) selected into the national talent development program completed questionnaires to measure the variables of interest. Using structural equation modelling, results revealed a positive path from transformational leadership to both task and social cohesion, taskoriented motivational climates, self-regulation of learning and athlete satisfaction. Finally, a negative path from transformational leadership to ego-oriented climates was identified. The findings are in line with previous research in associating transformational leadership behaviours with adaptive outcomes, and further indicating that such relationships may also be valid in elite sport contexts.

• Haugen, Tommy; Peters, Derek Melville; Ommundsen, Yngvar; Martin, Luc J.; Stenling, Andreas & Høigaard, Rune (2021). Psychometric Evaluation of the Norwegian Versions of the Modified Group Environment Questionnaire and the Youth Sport Environment Questionnaire. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science. ISSN 1091-367X. 25(4), p. 365–378. doi: 10.1080/1091367X.2021.1917414. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study aimed to translate the modified Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) and the Youth Sport Environment Questionnaire (YSEQ) into Norwegian, examine the factor structure and reliability of the scales through independent clusters model confirmatory factor analysis (ICM-CFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), and examine differential item functioning (DIF) as a function of sex. Three-hundred-and-thirty-three athletes (M(SD)age = 18.7(2.60) years; 33% females) completed the GEQ. Three-hundred-and-three athletes (M(SD)age = 15.0(1.48) years; 26% females) completed the YSEQ. Results indicated acceptable fit indices for a four-factor, a secondorder two-factor (task and social), and a second order one-factor ESEM model for the GEQ. Crossloadings and high latent factor correlations are issues in need of attention. The study supported the structural validity and reliability of the Norwegian YSEQ, with no major differences between the ICM-CFA and ESEM. No evidence of DIF as a function of sex was identified in either of the scales.

• Schei, Gaute Sørensen; Haugen, Tommy; Stenling, Andreas; Grøtting, Anniken; Peters, Derek Melville & Høigaard, Rune (2021). Development and Initial Validation of the Humor Climate in Sport Scale. Frontiers in Psychology. 12, p. 1–15. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.692892. Full text in Research Archive
• Solhaug, Marius; Høigaard, Rune & Sæther, Stig Arve (2021). The balancing act of combining school and football in the transition from a non-professional club into junior-elite academy football. Scandinavian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (SJSEP). 3, p. 40–46. doi: 10.7146/sjsep.v3i.128322. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Football players in the transition from junior-to-senior are usually involved in dual careers, combining school and football – a process that makes them dependent on a holistic talent-development journey. The aim of the current study was to describe how male junior elite football players (N=10; 5=living at home, 5=living away from home) perceived stressors in the transition from a non-professional club into a junior elite academy. Furthermore, the school transition (between lower- and upper-secondary school) and social transition (based on the school and football transitions) as a consequence of the football transition into academy football. Based on Wylleman and Lavallee’s (2004) and Stambulova’s (2003) models, the data were analysed based on the following three levels in the transitions: athletic, academic - and psycho-social. The main perceived stressors in the football transition (athletic level) were new performance demands, which impacted them both physically (e.g., quality of training) and psychologically (e.g., self-esteem and well-being). Perceived stressors in the school transition (academic level) were related to increased academic workload and expectations, and academic achievement. Perceived stressors related to the social transition (psycho-social level) among the players that have chosen to live away from home were new roommates and doing more housework, even though they adapted quickly to the new requirements. Both groups highlighted the importance of having a social network (friends, leisure activity) outside of football, so they got to relax and not always think about football or school. The study findings suggest that maintaining dual careers introduces stressors for most players – independent of living at home or away from home.

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• Sæther, Stig Arve & Høigaard, Rune (2026). Toppidrett i Skandinavia: En samfunnsvitenskapelig forskningsantologi om utviklings- og prestasjonsmiljø. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISBN 9788202916046. 442 p. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2026). Setesdal på tvers. En sykkelklatrefører for Setesdal. CoppiPress. ISBN 9788269232806. 215 p. doi: https:/www.coppipress.no/. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  I boken beskrives over 80 motbaker i Setesdal som egner seg for sykling

• Peters, Derek; Francis, John William & Høigaard, Rune (2024). Adapted & (dis)ability sport. Frontiers Media S.A.. ISBN 9782832557471. 152 p. Full text in Research Archive
• Mathisen, Petter & Høigaard, Rune (2022). Veiledning i Røde Kors. Metoder og strategier. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISBN 9788202419288. 208 p. Full text in Research Archive
• Mathisen, Petter & Høigaard, Rune (2021). Veiledningsmetodikk (2 utgave). Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISBN 9788202697235. 192 p. Full text in Research Archive

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• Høigaard, Rune (2026). Ledelse og teambygging i ungdomsidretten. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2026). Gode grupper og team i idretten. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune; Haugen, Tommy & Sæther, Stig Arve (2026). Tillit er en sentral faktor for å lykkes. doi: https:/www.fvn.no/mening/kronikk/o/L48lEP/tillit-er-en-sentral-faktor-for-aa-lykkes. Full text in Research Archive
• Kristiansen, Elsa; Berntsen, Hedda; Holmeset, Vigdis; Høigaard, Rune & Houlihan, Barrie (2026). Dual Careers In Handball And Skiing: Supported Journey Or Lonely Struggle? Full text in Research Archive
• Kristiansen, Elsa; Berntsen, Hedda; Holmeset, Vigdis; Høigaard, Rune & Houlihan, Barrie (2026). Round table discussion with participants in a comparative research project between France and Norway (USN and PNU). Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune & Sæther, Stig Arve (2026). Dette kan avgjere norsk VM-suksess. [Internet]. Forskning.no. doi: https:/www.forskning.no/fotball-partner-sosiale-relasjoner/dette-kan-avgjere-norsk-vm-suksess/2666752. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Ein ny studie gir eit unikt innblikk i kor viktig det er med godt samhald på eit landslag – og kva som skaper det.

• Høigaard, Rune (2026). Det usynlege limet som kan avgjere norsk VM-suksess. [Internet]. https://www.uia.no/forskning/forskningsnyheter. doi: https:/www.uia.no/forskning/forskningsnyheter/helse-idrett/det-usynlege-limet-som-kan-avgjere-norsk-vm-sukses.html. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2026). Limet i teamet. Kohesjon i fotball team. [Radio]. NRK . Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune & Sæther, Stig Arve (2026). Psykologisk trygghet i lagidretten. Full text in Research Archive
• Haugen, Tommy & Høigaard, Rune (2026). Samhold er viktig – også på landslag. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2026). Setesdal på tvers. Bokbad i Bygland. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2026). Setesdal på tvers. [Radio]. Valle radio. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2026). Gruppedynamiske faktorer for å skape gode team og klubber. Full text in Research Archive
• Haugen, Tommy & Høigaard, Rune (2025). Fire myter om samhold i idretten. Fedrelandsvennen. doi: https:/www.fvn.no/sport/i/dRyMQw/myter-om-samhold-i-idretten. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2025). Intrateamkommunikasjon i eliteteam. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2025). Prestasjonsteam verdier og kultur. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2025). Prestasjonsteam fra ord til handling. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2025). Gruppedynamikk i teori og praksis. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune & Sæther, Stig Arve (2025). Samhold og teamtillit i eliteteam og landslag. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Samhold eller kohesjon er et av de mest undersøkte gruppedynamiske fenomen innenfor idrettspsykologien. Forskning har også vist at samhold påvirker temaarbeid, trivsel og prestasjoner. Formålet med prosjektet er å beskrive hvordan utøvere og trenere inne ulike idretter og landslag erfarer og beskriver kohesjon og teamtillit. Prosjektet består av fire ulike studier, hvor tre studier omhandler kohesjon og et studie omhandler teamtillit.

• Høigaard, Rune & Sæther, Stig Arve (2025). Kohesjon i landslag * 2 teamtillitsstudier. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2025). Grupper, mentoring & kommunikasjon. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2024). Et godt arbeidsmiljø i teori-praksis. Full text in Research Archive
• Haugen, Tommy & Høigaard, Rune (2024). «Det er jo så urettferdig». Fædrelandsvennen. ISSN 0805-3790. Full text in Research Archive
• Andreasen, Eva Mari; Berg, Helen; Steinsbekk, Aslak Irgens; Høigaard, Rune & Haraldstad, Kristin (2024). Læringseffekt av desktop VR for å øve på overføring av pasientinformasjon før operasjon med ISBAR-metoden: en randomisert kontrollert studie. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2023). Teamoptimalisering. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2023). Hvordan gjennomføre den gode spillersamtalen. Full text in Research Archive
• aas, karina andersen & Høigaard, Rune (2023). Teamroller som er avgjørende for suksess i Tour the France. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2023). Verdier for å prestere. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2023). PRO-Team. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2023). Utvikling og etablering av verdier og samspillsregler for utvikling av: idrettsglede, treningsglede og konkurranseglede. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune; aas, karina andersen & Peters, Derek Melville (2023). Elite cyclists’ and sport directors’ perceptions of successful ‘road captains’ in Pro Cycling: The hub of the team. Full text in Research Archive
• Sæther, Stig Arve; Aspvik, Nils Petter; Torvik, Lina & Høigaard, Rune (2023). Perceived support in the rehabilitation process among female elite handball players. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2023). Ekspert-team mot OL. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2023). Prestasjonsoptimalisering. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2023). Når alt står på spill -en introduksjon. Full text in Research Archive
• Erikstad, Martin Kjeøen; Høigaard, Rune; Côté, Jean & Haugen, Tommy (2023). Youth sport coaches’ perceptions of participating in the Transformational Coaching Workshop - A qualitative study. Full text in Research Archive
• Haugen, Tommy; Høigaard, Rune; Côté, Jean; Turnnidge, Jennifer; Stenling, Andreas & Erikstad, Martin Kjeøen (2023). Development and initial validation of the Transformational Coaching Scale. Full text in Research Archive
• Lindberg, Kolbjørn Andreas; Bjørnsen, Thomas; Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad; Paulsen, Gøran; joensen, malene & Kristoffersen, Morten [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2022). When You Believe You Are In The Intervention Group, You Will Get Better Training Results. A Randomized Controlled Placebo Study. Full text in Research Archive
• Andreasen, Eva Mari; Høigaard, Rune; Berg, Helen; Steinsbekk, Aslak & Haraldstad, Kristin (2022). Is desktop VR more motivational than traditional practice when learning ISBAR? A usability study of desktop VR for learning ISBAR. Full text in Research Archive
• Andreasen, Eva Mari; Høigaard, Rune & Haraldstad, Kristin (2022). Nursing students’ satisfaction with clinical placements – The importance of the supervisory relationship. Full text in Research Archive
• Giske, Rune & Høigaard, Rune (2022). Slik skaper man et høyt presterende lag. Å utvikle felles mentale modeller er avgjørende for å lykkes i lagidrett. Full text in Research Archive
• Giske, Rune & Høigaard, Rune (2022). Slik skaper man et høyt presterende lag. lokalavisen fedrelandsvennen. Full text in Research Archive
• Schei, Gaute Sørensen & Høigaard, Rune (2022). Teambygging – systematisk arbeid over tid. Full text in Research Archive
• Jørgensen, Arild & Høigaard, Rune (2022). Teamoptimalisering. Full text in Research Archive
• Schei, Gaute Sørensen; Haugen, Tommy & Høigaard, Rune (2022). Når lagene smitter hverandre. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2022). Grupper -motiverer de til innsats? Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2022). Grupper, ledelse og kommunikasjon. Full text in Research Archive
• Delviken, Sander; Hofseth, Erik; Riise, Arne J.; Peters, Derek Melville & Høigaard, Rune (2022). World class and international elite athletes’ and coaches’ perceptions of mental demands in beach volleyball. Full text in Research Archive
• Haugen, Tommy & Høigaard, Rune (2022). Lidenskapens pris. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune & Haugen, Tommy (2022). Når ikke alle tar i et tak. Full text in Research Archive
• Sigvartensen, Kristian K.; Sæther, Stig Arve; Haugen, Tommy; Erikstad, Martin Kjeøen; Peters, Derek Melville & Høigaard, Rune (2022). Elite team sport athletes’ perceptions and experiences of destructive coach leadership behaviour. Full text in Research Archive
• Gangsø, Kristian S.; Aspvik, Nils Petter; Ingar, Mehus; Høigaard, Rune & Sæther, Stig Arve (2022). Talentutviklingsmiljø – en sammenligning av høyt og lavt rangerte akademier. www.fotballtreneren.no. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2021). Humor i teamet – et tveegget sverd. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2021). Humor i teamet – et tveegget sverd. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2021). Humor i teamet –et tveegget sverd. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2021). Humor i teamet – et tveegget sverd. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2021). Hjemmebanefordelen: Aquarama -fort eller fengsel? Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2021). Samspill i verdenstoppen. Full text in Research Archive
• Olsen, Anne Karin Vikstøl; Spieler, Kristin; Kjær, Ingirid Geirsdatter Heald; Høigaard, Rune & Haugen, Tommy (2020). The Role of Learning Climate, Teacher Help and Support, and Academic Self-efficacy in the Prediction of Professional Identity. Full text in Research Archive
• Høigaard, Rune (2020). Erfaringene fra den kampen kan være gull verdt. [Journal]. Fædrelandsvennen. Full text in Research Archive
• Schei, Gaute Sørensen; Høigaard, Rune & Haugen, Tommy (2023). Communication in elite team sports. Universitetet i Agder. ISSN 9788284271477. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Prestasjoner i eliteidrett inneholder en rekke sammenkoblede faktorer, der teammedlemmer må koordinere innsats i treningsarbeid og i kampsituasjon, mot kollektive mål. Kommunikasjon er en sentral faktor som er relatert til teamarbeid i eliteidrett. Kommunikasjon i elitelag er sterkt knyttet til hvordan teammedlemmer samarbeider for å løse oppgave-relaterte krav, og er samtidig med å påvirke de sosiale interaksjonene mellom teammedlemmer. Viktigheten av kommunikasjon i team prosesser har blitt fremhevet av flere forskere. Det er likevel behov for mer forskning som undersøker og utforsker kommunikasjon i elitelag i idrett. Resultatene fra denne avhandlingen fremhever viktigheten av kommunikasjon i elitelag, og utvider forståelsen vår av identitetsledelse, intrateam kommunikasjon (dvs., aksept, særpreg, humor), kohesjon, og kampspesifikk kommunikasjon. Treneratferd er identifisert som en sentral faktor som påvirker kommunikasjon i team prosesser (PI), mens momentum og smitte xi er med å påvirke kampspesifikk kommunikasjon innad og mellom to konkurrende lag (PIII). Resultatene understreker at treneren og den konkrete situasjonen er viktige faktorer for å forstå kommunikasjon i elitelag i idrett (PI, PIII). Videre kan vi konkludere med at innholdet og formen av kommunikasjonen (dvs., humor, aksept, kampspesifikk kommunikasjon) påvirker gruppedynamiske uttak som kohesjon (dvs., oppgave og sosial), konflikt, smitte, momentum og prestasjon (PI, PII, PIII). Oppsummert bidrar resultatene fra denne avhandlingen til å øke forståelsen for noen av de underliggende mekanismene som er utbredt innenfor kommunikasjonsprosesser i elitelag i idrett.

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