50 שנה למחקר מומנטום ('יד חמה') בספורט: התפתחות, תאוריה וממצאים אמפיריים עדכניים

Momentum, a concept originating in physics, has been extensively explored by researchers in behavioral and social sciences. The literature on momentum is extensive and diverse, encompassing studies on sports, marketing, management, finance, cognition, and political science. Yet despite its extensive (and at times, uncritical) application across fields and disciplines, consensus and clear definitions are lacking as to the underlying theoretical mechanisms of momentum, with streakiness serving as the sole common ground among researchers. Indeed, stock prices, presidential candidates' approval ratings, students' grades, and handball game outcomes may all display a certain degree of serial correlations – i.e., a statistical relationship between past and present values within a data series. Specifically, the concept of momentum refers to a phenomenon where success breeds more success. The aim of the current research is to enhance clarity in the multidisciplinary study of the momentum phenomenon, while highlighting the current state of knowledge regarding momentum in sports. This paper will review recent findings that confirm the existence of momentum in sports competitions, and will unify three theoretical mechanisms that explain how "success breeds success": (a) physiological responses to victory and defeat; (b) non-verbal behaviors (i.e., communications); and (c) psychological factors.