May 16, 2013 Why do so many sports players and athletes choose to wear the color red when they compete? A new study to be published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, suggests that it may have to do with their testosterone levels.
The new study, conducted by psychological scientist Daniel Farrelly of the University of Sunderland and colleagues, demonstrated that males who chose red as their color in a competitive task had higher testosterone levels than other males who chose blue.
"The research shows that there is something special about the color red in competition, and that it is associated with our underlying biological systems," says Farrelly.
The researchers believe that the link may explain why many sports stars wear red clothing -- Tiger Woods, for example, famously chooses to wear a red shirt on the last day of a major competition.
Choosing to wear red "may, unconsciously, signal something about their competitive nature, and it may well be something that affects how their opponents respond," Farrelly explains.
Farrelly and colleagues recruited 73 men to participate in the study, and they were unaware of the study's aims. The men were told that they would be performing a competitive task and that their performances would be placed on a leaderboard. The participants then chose either a red or blue symbol to represent them in the table and completed the competitive tasks. They also answered questionnaires aimed at gauging whether various personal reasons may have affected their color choice.
To determine participants' testosterone levels, the researchers took saliva samples at the start of the study, before the participants knew about the competitive task, and again at the end.
The data revealed that men who chose red had higher baseline testosterone levels, and they rated their color as having higher levels of characteristics such as dominance and aggression, than men who chose blue.
Color choice did not, however, seem to be related to actual performance in the competitive task. The researchers believe that direct competition, in which opponents can be seen wearing red or appearing red, may be necessary for the red advantage to occur. Along these lines, previous research has shown that wearing red can be advantageous through its influence on opponents' perceptions, leading them to view red competitors as being "high quality" competitors.
Co-authors on the research include Rebecca Slater of the University of Sunderland, Hannah Elliott and Hannah Walden of Newcastle University, and Mark Wetherell of Northumbria University.
See the article here:
High-testosterone competitors more likely to choose red
- Low T Center bringing innovative testosterone treatment for men to Nevada with new Center in Las Vegas - April 29th, 2013 [April 29th, 2013]
- Testosterone doesn't boost functioning in older men - April 29th, 2013 [April 29th, 2013]
- FDA staff concerned about safety of Endo's testosterone injection - April 29th, 2013 [April 29th, 2013]
- Panel divided over safety of Endo's testosterone drug - April 29th, 2013 [April 29th, 2013]
- International Study Confirms Low Testosterone in 84 Percent of Lung Cancer Patients Taking Crizotinib - April 29th, 2013 [April 29th, 2013]
- Dr. Dan Engle on Onnit's T+ Testosterone Supplement - Video - April 29th, 2013 [April 29th, 2013]
- Myths About Testosterone (w/Emery) - Video - April 29th, 2013 [April 29th, 2013]
- FTM Jaycob: 1 Month on Testosterone - Video - April 29th, 2013 [April 29th, 2013]
- 41 Weeks on Testosterone - Video - April 29th, 2013 [April 29th, 2013]
- What Is The Best Testosterone Booster? - Video - April 29th, 2013 [April 29th, 2013]
- 9 months on testosterone - Video - April 29th, 2013 [April 29th, 2013]
- Can Excess Testosterone Levels Cause Man Boobs AKA Gynecomastia - Video - April 29th, 2013 [April 29th, 2013]
- Ninth Shot of Testosterone - Video - April 29th, 2013 [April 29th, 2013]
- 11 months on testosterone - Video - April 29th, 2013 [April 29th, 2013]
- Whats Better, Gels or Shots? (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) - Video - April 29th, 2013 [April 29th, 2013]
- Increase testosterone:Sleep In A Cold, Dark Room - Video - May 3rd, 2013 [May 3rd, 2013]
- Testosterone for Men - Video - May 3rd, 2013 [May 3rd, 2013]
- 'Shootout At Wadala': Out and out testosterone-driven gangster flick (Hindi Film Review) - May 4th, 2013 [May 4th, 2013]
- Tenth Shot of Testosterone (+ series recap) - Video - May 4th, 2013 [May 4th, 2013]
- Fourteen Weeks on Testosterone - Video - May 4th, 2013 [May 4th, 2013]
- BPA Linked with Lower Testosterone - May 8th, 2013 [May 8th, 2013]
- Fatherhood leads to a drop in testosterone, study finds - May 8th, 2013 [May 8th, 2013]
- 19 Weeks on Testosterone - Video - May 8th, 2013 [May 8th, 2013]
- Bush - Testosterone - Video - May 8th, 2013 [May 8th, 2013]
- 1 year - May 8th, 2013 [May 8th, 2013]
- FTM Emery 1 Year on Testosterone - Video - May 8th, 2013 [May 8th, 2013]
- 1year7months21days on testosterone - Video - May 9th, 2013 [May 9th, 2013]
- Fifteen Weeks on Testosterone - Video - May 9th, 2013 [May 9th, 2013]
- FTM Kris First day on testosterone - Video - May 9th, 2013 [May 9th, 2013]
- FTM: Introduction Testosterone Day 1 - Video - May 9th, 2013 [May 9th, 2013]
- 1 Year 6 Months of Testosterone, 2 Months Post-Op Top Surgery - Video - May 9th, 2013 [May 9th, 2013]
- INCREASE TESTOSTERONE - Video - May 9th, 2013 [May 9th, 2013]
- Testosterone Supplements: Best Test Supplement Reviews! - Video - May 9th, 2013 [May 9th, 2013]
- First Shot of Testosterone - Video - May 9th, 2013 [May 9th, 2013]
- BUSH - Testosterone - LIVE - Atlantic City - 5/4/13 - Video - May 9th, 2013 [May 9th, 2013]
- Testosterone Booster: Best Test Booster Review! - Video - May 9th, 2013 [May 9th, 2013]
- How to Increase Testosterone? My Stories! - Video - May 9th, 2013 [May 9th, 2013]
- Testosterone Supplements May Hurt Male Fertility, Study Finds - May 11th, 2013 [May 11th, 2013]
- Ten month on testosterone FTM update. - Video - May 11th, 2013 [May 11th, 2013]
- Dysphoria on Testosterone - Video - May 11th, 2013 [May 11th, 2013]
- Radiation From Cell Phones Lowers Testosterone? - Video - May 12th, 2013 [May 12th, 2013]
- t testosterone booster get your day started review - Video - May 12th, 2013 [May 12th, 2013]
- Testosterone - Expectations and Desires - Video - May 12th, 2013 [May 12th, 2013]
- Troxyphen testosterone booster (first look) - Video - May 12th, 2013 [May 12th, 2013]
- 4 Months 2 weeks on Testosterone/ cali update - Video - May 12th, 2013 [May 12th, 2013]
- Pro Testosterone Review. Restore Your Youthful Energy And Muscular Body With Pro Testosterone! - Video - May 13th, 2013 [May 13th, 2013]
- Testosterone: Three Months. - Video - May 13th, 2013 [May 13th, 2013]
- Heavy Overdoses on Testosterone - Video - May 13th, 2013 [May 13th, 2013]
- Bush "Testosterone," "Machinehead" (The Rave/Eagles Club, Milwaukee, WI, 5/8/2013) - Video - May 13th, 2013 [May 13th, 2013]
- "OSS-TEST" Number #1 Natural Testosterone Booster Testimonial Review - Video - May 13th, 2013 [May 13th, 2013]
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy Aside, Luke Rockhold's Focus Needs to Shift to UFC on FX 8 - May 15th, 2013 [May 15th, 2013]
- Male testosterone levels increase when victorious in competition against rivals, but not friends - May 15th, 2013 [May 15th, 2013]
- Tommy Testosterone working at Ed Reyes' place - Video - May 15th, 2013 [May 15th, 2013]
- Ask Dr. Bob: Testosterone, Dry Eyes - May 15th, 2013 [May 15th, 2013]
- Testosterone Levels Fluctuate During Sporting Events, Competitions - May 16th, 2013 [May 16th, 2013]
- Male testosterone levels increase after winning competition with rivals, but not friends - May 16th, 2013 [May 16th, 2013]
- How to Pronounce Testosterone - Video - May 16th, 2013 [May 16th, 2013]
- Study: Even in dominoes, testosterone a factor - May 17th, 2013 [May 17th, 2013]
- 16 Weeks on Testosterone - Video - May 17th, 2013 [May 17th, 2013]
- Higher testosterone, vegans or carnivores - Video - May 17th, 2013 [May 17th, 2013]
- Men's testosterone soars when their team wins, similar to war - May 18th, 2013 [May 18th, 2013]
- The TRUTH About Natural Testosterone Boosters - Video - May 18th, 2013 [May 18th, 2013]
- 4 months 3 weeks on Testosterone - Video - May 18th, 2013 [May 18th, 2013]
- 2 months on testosterone - Video - May 18th, 2013 [May 18th, 2013]
- Testosterone booster review. Testosterone booster Facts - Video - May 18th, 2013 [May 18th, 2013]
- AUA13: PCa Risk Not Elevated with Testosterone Replacement - Video - May 18th, 2013 [May 18th, 2013]
- Testosterone Side Effects Boynton Beach Florida - Video - May 18th, 2013 [May 18th, 2013]
- 1 year on testosterone - May 20th, 2013 [May 20th, 2013]
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Nothing To Be Ashamed Of: Strike First Nutrition - Video - May 20th, 2013 [May 20th, 2013]
- Warning: Avoid open flames if using testosterone gels - May 21st, 2013 [May 21st, 2013]
- Testosterone Therapy Medical Seminar; The Truth About Testosterone and Testosterone Therapy - May 21st, 2013 [May 21st, 2013]
- Male Testosterone Levels Increase with Win Against Rivals but Not Friends - May 21st, 2013 [May 21st, 2013]
- FTM Kris 2nd shot of testosterone - Video - May 21st, 2013 [May 21st, 2013]
- 1 Year On Testosterone Replacement Therapy (Whats Changed + My Future On T) - Video - May 21st, 2013 [May 21st, 2013]
- Testosterone Treatment For Men With Type 2 Diabetes - Video - May 21st, 2013 [May 21st, 2013]
- 3 Years on Low-Dose Testosterone - Video - May 21st, 2013 [May 21st, 2013]
- Kevin McClain: 6 Months on Testosterone - Video - May 21st, 2013 [May 21st, 2013]
- Testosterone and the Cardiovascular System: Friend or Foe? - Video - May 21st, 2013 [May 21st, 2013]
- FTM Vlog 33) 5 Weeks on Testosterone...moody hairy man-beast! - Video - May 21st, 2013 [May 21st, 2013]
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy: The Science - Strike First Nutrition - Video - May 21st, 2013 [May 21st, 2013]