Heuristics in sport: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Psychology
• Decision Science

Background:

• Judgment and decision-making under uncertainty frequently utilize heuristics, or simplified rules of thumb.
• Understanding the application of heuristics in sports is crucial for performance and strategy analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of the existing literature on heuristics within the domain of sport.
• To identify trends, common heuristics, and research gaps concerning heuristics in sports contexts.

Main Methods:

• A five-stage scoping review methodology was employed.
• Searched Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and PsycInfo databases using terms related to sport, heuristics, and cognitive bias.
• Included 38 studies from an initial pool of 2019 identified articles.

Main Results:

• Heuristics are commonly used by players, particularly in football (soccer) and basketball.
• Studies were predominantly from the USA and Germany, with most employing quantitative methods.
• The fast and frugal heuristics approach (e.g., recognition heuristic) was examined more than the heuristics and biases approach.

Conclusions:

• The literature highlights the prevalence of heuristics in sports decision-making, primarily by athletes.
• Future research should explore a wider range of heuristics, their use by selectors and boards, and educational interventions.
• There is a need for studies with an explicit focus on female athletes and diverse heuristic applications.