How “reds win” effect works? The role of sportswear's colour during sport competitions

Abstract

The influence of sportsman's red outfit on the result of the sports competition has been analyzed during the Olympic Games in Athens. The obtained results suggest that having a red outfit increased sportsman's chances for winning (Hill, Barton 2005). Assuming the realism of "reds win" effect, the question of its mechanism remains unsolved. This article presents research, which tested hypothesis that is the difference in perception of the "blue" and the "red" competitor ("red" competitor seems more redoubtable and dangerous to the opponent). In the context of the conducted research, we can carefully claim that the colour of sportswear may influence the perception of the opponent in a sports battle. Obtained results are on a trend level, however, they reflect the assumed results' structure (the colour of T-shirts only influenced the evaluation of the competitors' bravery and aggressiveness, with no changes in the perception of their technical and physical abilities).