Effect of Elderly People's Perceived Value on their Adherence to Outdoor Exercise: The Intermediary Role of Motivation for Active Social Adaptation

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the perceived value of outdoor activities and exercise persistence among elderly Chinese individuals. Specifically, the study aims to explore whether motivation for active social adaptation mediates this relationship. Three hundred twenty-five subjects were randomly chosen and invited to complete 3 questionnaires about the perceived value of outdoor activity, the motivation for active social adaptation, and the adherence to physical exercise. The results showed that older people's perception of the value of outdoor activity (function, landscape, and cost) has a statistically significant effect on their adherence to exercise. The mediating role of motivation for active social adaptation was also statistically significant, and the mediating role of active environmental adaptation motivation affected the perceived functional value, perceived landscape value of outdoor activities on adherence to exercise. Hence, it is concluded that older Chinese adults' perception of the value of outdoor activities promotes their adherence to exercise and reinforces it based on active social adaptation motivation.

Long-Term Exercise Assistance: Group and One-on-One Interactions between a Social Robot and Seniors

For older adults, regular exercises can provide both physical and mental benefits, increase their independence, and reduce the risks of diseases associated with aging. However, only a small portion of older adults regularly engage in physical activity. Therefore, it is important to promote exercise among older adults to help maintain overall health. In this paper, we present the first exploratory long-term human–robot interaction (HRI) study conducted at a local long-term care facility to investigate the benefits of one-on-one and group exercise interactions with an autonomous socially assistive robot and older adults. To provide targeted facilitation, our robot utilizes a unique emotion model that can adapt its assistive behaviors to users’ affect and track their progress towards exercise goals through repeated sessions using the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS), while also monitoring heart rate to prevent overexertion. Results of the study show that users had positive valence and high engagement towards the robot and were able to maintain their exercise performance throughout the study. Questionnaire results showed high robot acceptance for both types of interactions. However, users in the one-on-one sessions perceived the robot as more sociable and intelligent, and had more positive perception of the robot’s appearance and movements.

Effects of social support on performance outputs and perceived difficulty during physical exercise

Perceptions of social support influence adaptive self-regulatory processes that maintain health, produce feelings, and motivate behavior. Although associations between sociality and health are increasingly well-understood, there is little systematic research into the effects of social support on fatigue, physical discomfort, exertion, and output regulation in physical activity. We conducted an experimental study to investigate the effect of social support on performance and perceived difficulty in a handgrip force task while controlling for audience and reputational factors. Effects were compared with those of another established psychogenic performance enhancer (a placebo ergogenic supplement). During handgrip trials over varying levels of objective difficulty, participants viewed photographs of a support figure or stranger while in a placebo or control condition. Results revealed a significant main effect of the social support cue on handgrip performance outputs, and a significant interaction with objective trial difficulty - relative to the stranger cue, the support-figure cue significantly increased handgrip performance outputs and the effect was larger in more objectively difficult trials. Moreover, despite producing greater handgrip outputs, participants perceived trials to be significantly less difficult in the social support condition. Though there was a non-significant main effect of placebo (vs. control) on performance outputs, participants perceived trials in the placebo condition to be significantly less difficult. The research contributes new evidence and theory on the role of perceived social support - an important (energetic) resource - in human performance and motivates further enquiry into how cues to support alter perceived effort and performance outputs in strenuous physical challenges.

Perceptions of group exercise courses and instructors among Quebec adults

BACKGROUND

Group exercise courses are popular among adults, but dropout rates are high. Studies of relationships between participants' perceptions and their participation might highlight factors to target to improve adherence and re-enrolment.

METHODS

We used a mixed-methods approach to analyse perceptions of group exercise courses and instructors among 463 adults. Participants completed the Exercise Barriers and Benefits Scale, questionnaires on perceptions of the instructor and course, and non-participation. We assessed participation from weeks 2-4 and 5-10, and re-enrolment. We analysed relationships between perceptions and re-enrolment using linear regression and mediation analyses. We conducted group interviews with 11 participants.

RESULTS

Predictors of re-enrolment included early participation (β=0.11, P=0.029) and perceptions of the group social climate (P=0.027). Perceptions of the group mediated the relationship between early participation and re-enrolment (95% CI 0.0036 to 0.0471): early participation predicted more positive perceptions (β=2.11, P=0.003), which predicted re-enrolment (β=0.01, P=0.006). Qualitative analyses highlighted instructors' roles in promoting social exchange and integrating participants into the group.

CONCLUSIONS

The social climate of group exercise courses is a key factor predicting re-enrolment. Early participation predicts re-enrolment on its own, and also promotes positive perceptions of the group. Instructors can target these factors by sensitising participants to the importance of early participation, and promoting social exchange.

Evaluation of a rolling rehabilitation programme for patients with non-specific low back pain in primary care: an observational cohort study

AIM

The Back Rehabilitation Programme (BRP) is a group exercise programme for patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) that combines cognitive behavioural therapy principles and therapeutic exercise to empower patients to self-manage their condition. Poor attendance and high attrition rates resulted in changes to the format of the programme from a standard sequential approach to a continual rolling approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this new approach on patient outcomes and its impact on attendance rates.

METHOD

A service evaluation, using a retrospective, observational cohort design, of all patients with NSLBP who attended the BRP during a 12-month period was undertaken. Outcome measures used were as follows: Bournemouth Questionnaire (BQ); fitness tests: sit to stand test, step test and walk test (taken at baseline and post programme); and attendance (taken post programme).

RESULTS

Of the patients, 56% had an improved BQ score ≥ 47%, indicating a clinically significant change. Inferential testing showed statistically significant improvements in the BQ and all three fitness tests post programme (P< 0.0001). In total, 62 patients attended the rolling BRP, and 41 patients (66%) completed. Thus, the percentage of patients completing the new programme had doubled compared with the original standard programme.

CONCLUSION

Patients with NSLBP who attended the continual rolling BRP show clinical and statistical improvements. The rolling format also appeared to enhance patient attendance. As such, the rolling BRP should be considered by practitioners as an effective management strategy when treating patients with NSLBP.

Association of Exercise Counselors' Sex with Exercise Session Attendance in Women Enrolled in a Cognitive Behavioral Treatment System

Attendance rates from two groups incorporating a cognitive behavioral treatment system (male counselor group, n = 53; female counselor group, n = 56) and a control group using standard methods of exercise counseling ( n = 56) were contrasted with new and returning female exercisers (overall M age = 40 yr.). Analysis of variance with follow-up Scheffé tests indicated significantly greater attendance for the treatment groups (54 and 58%) than for the control group (37%) over 6 months. No significant difference between the treatment groups was found. Findings suggest that the sex of exercise counselors does not appear to influence attendance of exercise sessions.

The Influence of the Group with Elderly Exercisers

This study examined the relationship of group cohesion to attitude and control beliefs toward exercise in a sample of older adults within the broader framework of the theory of planned behavior (N = 179, 27% male, average age = 67 years, SD = 7.77). Perceptions of task and social cohesion were assessed as well as attitude toward exercise, perceptions of control over attendance, and exercise intention. Following the assessment of the cognitive variables, exercise attendance was monitored for 4 weeks. Results revealed that task cohesion was related to perceptions of control (p < .05), whereas social cohesion was related to attitude toward exercise (p < .05). In turn, perceptions of control were related to intention to exercise (p < .01), and intention to exercise and perceptions of control were related to exercise class attendance (p < .01). Contrary to predictions, task cohesion did add to the prediction of attitude, but attitude was not related to exercise intentions.

Cohesion and Work Output

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationship between group cohesion and individual work output (effort) in sport teams. Results showed that athletes who scored high on the Individual Attractions to the Group Task (AGT-T) Scale from the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) worked harder (predicted from a bag of expired air at the end of training and expressed as apercentage relative to the maximal volume of oxygen consumption) than athletes who scored low on the ATG-T The results extend previous research that has shown that cohesion is positively associated with individual adherence in sport teams and exercise classes. Recommendations forfuture research are discussed.

Effects of Minimal Group Promotion on Cohesion and Exercise Adherence

A large fitness center was used to test a brief group warm-up/cool-down program’s effect on perceptions of cohesion, exercise attendance, and dropout. Healthy adult participants were randomly assigned to a control or treatment condition. Treatment participants differed from controls in that an exercise professional led them in small groups for 5 to 7 minutes, both before and after they completed assigned workout programs, in a separate room. Results indicated a significant rise in the Attraction to Group-Task (ATG-T) subscale of the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) over the first 5 weeks of the investigation, for the treatment group only. Results also demonstrated higher attendance and less dropout in the treatment group. A significant positive relationship between attendance and the treatment group participants’ change in ATG-T over 5 weeks was found. The practicality of providing cohesion-promoting interventions is discussed, and the need to replicate this research in differing exercise settings is emphasized.

Cohesion as Shared Beliefs in Exercise Classes

The purpose of the study was to determine if perceptions of cohesion in exercise classes demonstrated sufficiently high consensus and between-group variance to support a conclusion that exercise classes are groups. Participants (N = 1,700) in 130classes were tested on either the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) or the Physical Activity Group Environment Questionnaire (PAGEQ). Results showed that exercise classes satisfied the statistical criteria necessary to support a conclusion that they are true groups; that is, they exhibited acceptable levels of consensus about cohesion within classes and acceptable differences in cohesion between classes. In addition, index-of-agreement values were significantly greater for participants completing the PAGEQ than for participants completing the GEQ. Finally, consensus was greatest when participants evaluated how the exercise class satisfied their own personal task needs (i.e., individual attractions to the group-task), and second greatest when participants evaluated the collective unity around the task objectives (i.e., group integration-task).

The Group Size-Cohesion Relationship in Minimal Groups

Four studies were undertaken to investigate the relationship between cohesion and group size in exercise groups. Study 1 compared the perceptions of cohesiveness of members of small and large exercise classes assessed in the eighth week of group development in a 13-week session. Study 2 compared the perceptions of cohesiveness of members of small and large exercise classes assessed in the third week of group development in a 13-week session. Study 3 used a longitudinal design to assess the possible changes in perceptions of cohesiveness of members of small and large groups over time. The purpose of Study 4 was to determine how an intervention program focusing on team-building principles would influence perceptions of cohesiveness in small and large exercise classes. It was concluded that perceptions of task and social cohesion are greater in smaller groups, and that a team-building program can offset the negative impact of increased group size.

Using a Multilevel Approach to Examine the Relationship between Task Cohesion and Team Task Satisfaction in Elite Ice Hockey Players

Of numerous studies conducted over the years examining cohesion in the sport setting, very few have acknowledged that participants are nested within teams, which has resulted in analysis of data at the individual level. Given that members of sport teams are interdependent, valuable information might be lost if constructs such as cohesion are examined only at an individual level. The purpose of this study was to illustrate how multilevel modeling could be used to handle this interdependence among observations within teams when examining the relationship between task cohesion and team satisfaction. Male ice hockey players (N = 194) on 10 teams completed the cohesion and satisfaction measures near the end of the regular season. Using multilevel analysis, task cohesion predicted variance in team task satisfaction at the individual (33%) and group (55%) levels. Results highlight the value of multilevel models as well as extend research finding a relationship between cohesion and individual satisfaction to team satisfaction.

Investigating the Mediational Relationship of Leadership, Class Cohesion, and Adherence in an Exercise Setting

The purpose of this study was to determine if older adults’ perceptions of class cohesion serve as a mediator between exercise class leader behavior and adherence (operationally defined as attendance and perceived exertion) in exercise programs. Participants were enrolled in recreational exercise programs. Each participant completed a questionnaire that assessed cohesion (individual attractions to the group-task [ATG-T] and -social, group integration-task [GI-T] and group integration-social), class leader behaviors (enthusiasm, availability, motivation, and instruction), and perceived exertion. Attendance was obtained from records maintained by the instructors. Four specific mediation relationships were found: (a) ATG-T mediated the relationship between class leader motivation and perceived exertion, (b) ATG-T mediated the relationship between class leader availability and perceived exertion, (c) ATG-T mediated the relationship between class leader enthusiasm and attendance, (d) GI-T mediated relations between class leader enthusiasm and attendance. A number of aspects related to specific results were discussed.

Group Cohesiveness, Mood Disturbance, and Stress in Female Basketball Players

This investigation examined the relationship of group cohesion to mood disturbance, stress, and athletic performance in a female collegiate basketball team. Twenty players from a Division I college basketball team were administered a battery ofself-reportquestionnaires, including the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ), the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and the Social and Athletic Readjustment Rating Scale (SARRS). Significant results were observed in relation to the Group Integration-Task (GI-T) and Group Integration-Social (GI-S) subscales of the GEQ. Participants perceiving high GI-T were less depressed, less confused, and showed less total mood disturbance on the POMS. Individuals reporting high GI-S experienced less personal, academic, coaching, sport, and injury-related stress, and subjects scoring high on GI-T or GI-S subscales reported lower levels of total stress as measured by the SARRS.

Group Environment Questionnaire and its Applicability in an Exercise Setting

The Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) has recently been modified by Spink and Carron to assess group cohesion in exercise settings. However, as they point out, fitness classes possess a minimum number of criteria necessary to satisfy the requirements of a group. Therefore, applying an instrument developed to measure cohesion in sport teams to exercise classes may produce potential threats to the validity of the modified scale. Hence, the present study administered the modified GEQ to 307 exercise participants in the 3rd week of classes to test the factorial validity of the scale. The overall model was deemed an inadequate fit, and a modified version was suggested that retained the original four-factor structure. A second study administered the modified GEQ to 43 exercise participants at weeks 3 and 7 of typical aerobics classes and found that group cohesion did not develop over time and was not related to exercise adherence.

Group Cohesion in a Formal Exercise Program Composed of Predominantly Older Men

Individuals reporting high group cohesion are less likely to discontinue participation in group exercise programs. A validated measure of group cohesion, the Physical Activity Group Environment Questionnaire (PAGEQ), is untested in older men. The PAGEQ was administered to, and questions about demographics and frequency and duration of participation were asked of, the Walk A Mile or More (WAMM) exercise group, which was composed of U.S. military Veterans. Forty participants (mean age = 62 years, 77.5% male) completed surveys. Cronbach's alpha for the overall PAGEQ was 0.976. Although no significant relationship was found between group cohesion scores and frequency of attending WAMM sessions, there was a trend for individuals who had participated for a longer time to report more group cohesiveness, particularly regarding the task (i.e., exercise) itself. The PAGEQ was easily administered and internally consistent in this group of older men, and provides a useful benchmark for future gerontological researchers. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(8), 18-23.].

Leadership and Ethics in Work Groups

This study explored the relationship between leadership style and individual ethics in work groups. We present a model of how active leadership affects conformity in members’ ethical decision frameworks (formalism and utilitarianism). We tested this model by examining 36 work groups over a 12-week period. Results supported the hypothesis that more active leadership would lead to greater conformity in both types of ethical frameworks. A second hypothesis, that group cohesion would mediate this relationship between leadership style and ethical conformity, was partially supported. Implications of these findings for leadership, groups, and ethics research are discussed.

Perceptions of the activity, the social climate, and the self during group exercise classes regulate intrinsic satisfaction

Engaging in regular physical activity is a challenging task for many adults. Intrinsic satisfaction with exercise classes is thought to promote adherence to physical activity. This study examined the characteristics of exercise classes that impact within-person changes in intrinsic satisfaction over the course of an extended group exercise program. A 30-week physical activity trial was conducted with assessments at the end of each class. Community-living adults (n = 29) were instructed to complete at least six group exercise classes each week and, following each exercise class, complete a questionnaire asking about the characteristics of the class and the participant's evaluation of the class. Intrinsic satisfaction was high, on average, but varied as much within-person from class-to-class as it did between exercisers. Participants reported the greatest intrinsic satisfaction when classes placed greater emphasis on exercisers' involvement with the group task, feelings of competence, and encouragement from the instructor. For the most part, exercise classes that were more intense than usual were perceived by exercisers as less intrinsically satisfying. Some overall characteristics of the exercise classes were also associated with intrinsic satisfaction. The social and motivational characteristics of group exercise classes contribute to exercisers' intrinsic satisfaction with classes and attention to those dynamics, as well as the intensity of the exercise, may improve adherence for exercise regimens.

Leader Behaviors, Group Cohesion, and Participation in a Walking Group Program

INTRODUCTION

Less than half of all U.S. adults meet the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines. Leader behaviors and group cohesion have been associated with increased participation or adherence in sports team and exercise class settings. Physical activity interventions in community settings that encompass these factors may enhance intervention adherence. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of Community Health Promoter leader behaviors and group cohesion on participation in a walking group intervention among racially/ethnically diverse adults in low to moderate-income communities in Detroit, Michigan.

DESIGN

Data for the current study were drawn from the Walk Your Heart to Health (WYHH) data set. WYHH was a multisite cluster RCT with a lagged intervention and outcome measurements at baseline and 4, 8, and 32 weeks. Pooled survey data from both intervention arms were used for the current study. Data were analyzed between August 2013 and October 2014.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

A total of 603 non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, and Hispanic adults across five cohorts that began the 32-week WYHH intervention between March 2009 and October 2011.

INTERVENTION

The intervention was a 32-week walking group program hosted by community- and faith-based organizations and facilitated by Community Health Promoters. Walking groups met three times per week for 90 minutes per session. To promote participation in or adherence to WYHH, Community Health Promoters used evidence-based strategies to facilitate group cohesion. Group members assumed increasing leadership responsibility for facilitating sessions over time.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Participation in WYHH as measured by consistency of attendance.

RESULTS

Community Health Promoter leader behaviors were positively associated with participation in WYHH. Social but not task cohesion was significantly associated with consistent participation. Social cohesion may mediate the relationship between leader behaviors and walking group participation.

CONCLUSIONS

Providing leaders with training to build socially cohesive groups may help motivate individuals to continue participation in community-based physical activity programs.

The Group Environment Questionnaire

The Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) is a measure of group cohesion that has a long history of use in sports psychology and group research. However, researchers often fail to account for the hierarchical nature of group data in their analysis, leading to statistical aggregation biases. This study used multilevel confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the factorial validity of the GEQ at the individual and group levels simultaneously, using a sample of 519 netball players from 56 New Zealand semi-elite and elite teams. Results supported a four-factor model, based on the four subscales of the GEQ, at each level. Factor loadings for the final multilevel model were stronger at the group level, compared with the individual level, suggesting that cohesion is a group-level construct. This study provides evidence for the multilevel factorial validity of the GEQ and suggests that group-level analysis and interpretation should be emphasized in future research.

Exploring the Antecedents to Learning Continuance in Virtual Worlds

Many education institutes are planning to use virtual worlds to offer distance education programs and to reach potential students globally. However, the success of such programs depends on students’ willingness to use virtual worlds for learning continuously. Students’ learning continuance helps to decrease the drop-out rate of the programs. Motivated thus, this study uses the lenses of the balanced thinking-feelings model and socio-constructivism to model how students’ personal learning and social learning experiences influence virtual world learning continuance. Our results show that the utilitarian and hedonic values are critical to learners’ continuous intention of virtual world learning, and they are influenced by learners’ social learning experiences. Social learning factors are also found to interact with students’ personal learning factors to influence their perceived utilitarian and hedonic values of virtual world learning. The findings provide theoretical implications by integrating information systems theories and education psychology to understand the factors influencing the virtual world learning continuance in a systematic way. The findings also provide educators empirical evidence on what influences users’ learning continuance in virtual worlds.

Investigating the relationship between leader behaviours and group cohesion within women's walking groups

Early research has shown that leadership behaviour is viewed as a crucial factor in successfully developing team cohesion, effectively resulting in greater team satisfaction and more positive team outcomes. However, little is understood if these same factors have an impact on physical activity groups.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between leader behaviours and group cohesiveness within women's physical activity groups.

DESIGN

Participants (N = 95) included a sub-sample of adult women who were previously involved in a women's physical activity/walking program.

METHODS

Participants assessed their groups' leader behaviour using items pertaining to enthusiasm, motivation, instruction and availability, and their groups' cohesiveness using the Physical Activity Group Environment Questionnaire (PAGEQ). Canonical correlation analysis was used to determine the strength of association between the four concepts of group cohesion (ATG-T, ATG-S, GI-T and GI-S) and the four items pertaining to leadership behaviour.

RESULTS

A significant multivariate relationship was revealed between group cohesion and leadership behaviour, Wilks' lambda = 0.43, F(16,170) = 5.16, p < 0.001. The canonical correlation for this function was R(C) = 0.74, indicating a strong relationship. Simply stated, group leaders who were perceived as being highly enthusiastic, have the ability to motivate, are able to provide personal instruction and who are available outside of the group's regular activities were associated with higher levels of group cohesion.

CONCLUSIONS

Although a cause-effect relationship cannot be determined, the current study can serve as a valuable template in guiding future research in examining potential mechanisms that may assist with physical activity sustainability.

Fréquentation des groupes d'aîné(e)s et recours aux services sociaux et de santé

This paper presents the results of a study on the relationships between social participation and use of services. The hypotheses predicted that members of groups with high degrees of participation, cohesion, or participation and cohesion are likely to behave in a more homogeneous manner toward the use of services than members of groups having the opposite characteristics. The hypotheses were tested by doing multiple regressions on the number of service agencies contacted, preventive medical consultations and curative medical consultations. One of the hypotheses was corroborated by a major finding: being a member of a group with a high degree of participation and a high degree of cohesion remains positively correlated to curative medical consultations even when control variables like psychological well-being and perceived health have been considered. This result suggests that it could be possible to influence the use of services by older persons who are members of peer groups in dealing with the internal dynamics of these groups.

Development and implementation of a lifestyle intervention to promote physical activity and healthy diet in the Dutch general practice setting: the BeweegKuur programme

BACKGROUND

The number of patients with diabetes is increasing. BeweegKuur (Dutch for 'Exercise Therapy') is a Dutch lifestyle intervention which aims to effectively and feasibly promote physical activity and better dietary behaviour in primary health care to prevent diabetes.

METHODS

The goal of this paper is to present the development process and the contents of the intervention, using a model of systematic health promotion planning. The intervention consists of a 1-year programme for diabetic and prediabetic patients. Patients are referred by their general practitioner (GP) to a lifestyle advisor (LSA), usually the practice nurse or a physiotherapist. Based on specific inclusion criteria and in close collaboration with the patient, an individual exercise programme is designed and supervised by the LSA. This programme can be attended at existing local exercise facilities or (temporarily) under the supervision of a specialized exercise coach or physiotherapist. All participants are also referred to a dietician and receive diet-related group education. In the first pilot year (2008), the BeweegKuur programme was implemented in 7 regions in the Netherlands (19 GP practices and health centres), while 14 regions (41 GP practices and health centres) participated during the second year. The aim is to implement BeweegKuur in all regions of the Netherlands by 2012.

DISCUSSION

The BeweegKuur programme was systematically developed in an evidence- and practice-based process. Formative monitoring studies and (controlled) effectiveness studies are needed to examine the diffusion process and the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the intervention.

The Reconditioning Exercise and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Trial II (REACT II): rationale and study design for a clinical trial of physical activity among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of mortality in the United States. In addition, persons with COPD are at risk for lower levels of physical activity, leading to further morbidity and mortality. Several studies have demonstrated that long-term exercise therapy confers benefits upon physical functioning among patients with COPD, and some studies indicate that embedding cognitive-behavioral interventions into group-mediated exercise programs is useful in promoting compliance to activity recommendations. However, compliance to long-term activity is low among COPD patients, and the effectiveness of behavioral interventions to enhance long-term activity among these patients has not been extensively explored. Thus, the primary objective of the Reconditioning Exercise and COPD Trial II (REACT II) trial is to determine whether a group-mediated cognitive-behavioral intervention will result in increased physical activity after 12 months, compared to a standard exercise therapy experience among older adults with COPD. The cognitive-behavioral intervention is designed to promote independent physical activity by encouraging participants to self-regulate physical activity with minimal dependence upon staff. The primary study outcome is kcal expended per week in moderate physical activity, and the study is designed to provide 90% power to detect a 400 kcal/week difference in moderate energy expenditure between the two intervention groups. Other outcomes to be compared between the two interventions include physical function, self-reported physical disability, health-related quality of life, exercise capacity, body composition and inflammatory mediators.

Breast cancer survivors involved in vigorous team physical activity: psychosocial correlates of maintenance participation

Physical activity is increasingly being promoted as a means to achieve both physical and psychological benefits for cancer survivors. For women with breast cancer, one sport growing in popularity is dragon boating. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the psychosocial correlates of dragon boat participation over the course of a season. Six crews completed the baseline (early-season) assessment (n = 109) and late-season assessments (n = 56). The self-report questionnaire completed at both time points included an assessment of the theory of planned behaviour variables, quality of life, cohesion, and physical activity levels. A prospective examination of the TPB variables revealed attitude at early season as the only significant predictor of behavioural intentions 12 weeks later at late season (R2 adjusted = 0.27, p < 0.001). Overall, the group environment was cohesive at a level similar to that for female sport teams among the asymptomatic population. As well, participants' health-related quality of life was similar to normal, healthy women of similar age for both mental and physical health.

The impact of internalized homophobia on HIV preventive interventions

A growing body of research implicates internalized homophobia--the internalization of society's antihomosexual sentiments by gay and lesbian people--as a factor contributing to HIV-related sexual risk behavior in gay and bisexual men. Although accumulating evidence links internalized homophobia and sexual risk behavior, no study has explored the impact of internalized homophobia on efforts to prevent these behaviors. This paper examines the effect of internalized homophobia on gay and bisexual men's awareness of participation in, and perceptions of programs offered by a community-based HIV prevention organization. In Study 1, 595 gay and bisexual men reported their levels of awareness of and participation in HIV prevention programming offered by one community organization. Internalized homophobia was negatively related to men's awareness of the services offered by the organization. However, among the men who were aware of at least one service, internalized homophobia did not further predict service utilization. Study 2 examined 89 gay and bisexual men who participated for a single session in a group-structured, community-based HIV preventive intervention. Pre- to immediate postintervention change in perceptions of condom use self-efficacy was inversely related to internalized homophobia. Internalized homophobia was also a significant negative predictor of the extent to which participants felt similar to and related well with other members of the group. Together, these findings suggest that internalized homophobia may pose multiple barriers to community-based HIV prevention efforts.

Relationship between changes in acute exercise-induced feeling states, self-motivation, and adults' adherence to moderate aerobic exercise

A 14-wk. field study was conducted to estimate a correlation between feeling-state changes induced by moderate (50 to 74% VO2 max; 20 to 30 min.) bouts of cardiovascular exercise and attendance in a new exercise program. Three groups of men and women (ns=22 to 24) were formed for comparative analysis based upon participants' self-motivation (high, medium, low), as measured by the Self-motivation Inventory. Analysis indicated that for the low self-motivation group, attendance was positively correlated with before-to-after exercise difference scores in the Exercise-induced Feeling Inventory subscales of Positive Engagement (r(s)=.48), Revitalization (r(s)=.47). and Tranquility (r(s)=.41) and negatively correlated with difference scores in the Physical Exhaustion subscale (r(s)=-.62). Conversely, for the high self-motivated group generally weaker correlations in the opposite direction were found for each subscale. No definitive pattern was found for the medium self-motivation group. Multiple regression analyses conducted with scores on each Exercise-induced Feeling Inventory subscale supported the moderating effect of Self-motivation Inventory score on exercise attendance: Multiple R2s =.20 to .27. Although limited amounts of the total variance in exercise attendance was explained, practical implications are drawn for prescribing exercise by feeling states. Limitations and replication of results using different types samples and types of exercise are discussed.

Effects of leadership style and group dynamics on enjoyment of physical activity

PURPOSE

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the independent and combined effects of leadership style and group dynamics on the enjoyment of physical activity.

DESIGN

A completely randomized 2 x 2 factorial design was used in which the manipulation of "leadership style" (socially enriched vs. bland) was crossed with a manipulation of "group dynamics" (socially enriched vs. bland).

SETTING

The study was conducted in an aerobics studio on a university campus.

SUBJECTS

The sample included 48 male and 42 female undergraduate students who were moderately active.

INTERVENTION

Each participant was involved in a single session of step aerobics. A female graduate student provided either an enriched or bland series of interactions to manipulate leadership style, and a trained group of planted undergraduates was used to promote either an enriched or bland group environment.

MEASURES

The outcome measures of interest were enjoyment and the probability of engaging in a similar activity in the future.

RESULTS

Participants in the enriched leadership style plus enriched group dynamics condition reported higher enjoyment than did participants in the other three conditions. On average, the level of enjoyment was 22.07% higher in this condition than in the other three conditions (p < .001). The probability of future involvement was 13.93% higher for participants in the enriched group environment, irrespective of leadership style (p < .03).

CONCLUSIONS

Enjoyment during physical activity is optimized when a positive and supportive leadership style is coupled with an enriched and supportive group environment. Future research is required to extend these findings to other activities and populations.

Cohesion correlates with affect in structured exercise classes

Correlations of scores on the Group Environment Questionnaire measuring cohesion and the Feeling Scale ranged from .17 to .23 and support Carron's model.

Cognitive mediators of the social influence-exercise adherence relationship: a test of the theory of planned behavior

The purpose of this study was to examine cognitive constructs from the theory of planned behavior (i.e., attitude, perceived behavioral control, and intention) as potential mediators of the relationship between selected social influence constructs (i.e., subjective norm, social support, and cohesion) and adherence to structured exercise classes. Sixty-two participants completed self-administered questionnaires during the fourth week (social influence constructs) and eighth week (cognitive constructs) of a 12-week exercise program. Exercise adherence was monitored during weeks 9 through 12 using perceived intensity and attendance. Pearson correlations indicated that social support correlated with perceived behavioral control, whereas cohesion correlated with attitude. Path analysis supported two distinct paths from social influence to exercise adherence: (a) social support-->perceived behavioral control-->intention-->exercise adherence, and (b) cohesion-->attitude-->intention-->exercise adherence. Discussion focuses on the theoretical importance of these findings, conceptual and measurement issues regarding subjective norm, and suggestions for future research.