Do changes in the performance of professional sports players relate to chan
ges in their moods? Thirty-three professional county cricketers from four t
eams used pocket computers to provide ratings of their moods and performanc
e three times a day for up to 4 days during a championship match. Pooled ti
me-series analysis and correlation analysis showed that players' subjective
and objective performances were related to their happiness, energy, enthus
iasm, focus and confidence during the match. The majority of players also p
erformed better when they felt less tense, but some performed better when t
hey felt more tense. Differences in players' recollection of their moods du
ring best and worst performances reinforced the findings. The results sugge
st that professional cricketers' performances are influenced by their moods
.