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


METHODS
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).


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


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


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.
Fox
L D
LD
Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, USA.
Rejeski
W J
WJ
Gauvin
L
L
D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011897:Random Allocation; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States