Effects of Leadership Style and Group Dynamics on Enjoyment of Physical Activity

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Abstract
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 × 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.