Group cohesion in exercise classes: An examination of gender and type of exercise class differences

Abstract

Group cohesion has been attributed to the higher levels of attendance and performance and lower levels of drop-outs in exercise classes. Cohesion can be affected by different type of exercise classes and gender. Therefore, the main purpose of the study was to compare the group cohesion levels of martial arts participants (aikido, taekwondo, karate, and kendo) with aerobic-like participants (aerobics, aero-steps, phys-gym, and high-low aerobics). This causal comparative study also aimed at examining gender differences in group cohesion in exercise classes. There were 140 participants (M_age=28.1 SD= 8.01 and female= 138 male= 2) in aerobic-like classes and 137 participants (M_age= 22.2 SD= 3.8 and female= 48 male= 89) in martial arts classes. Results revealed no gender differences between the groups on the perceptions of cohesion. On the other hand, except for individual attractions to the group-task dimension, participants of martial art classes had higher levels of group cohesion than the participants of aerobic-like classes. Consequently, it was concluded that different types of exercise classes may have different levels of cohesion and those differences were discussed within the context of exercise classes.