The Influence of the Group with Elderly Exercisers

Abstract

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.