Abstract
Abstract Objectives: Being a member of a cohesive group could provide a source of high-quality social support that could positively impact the quality of life in cancer survivors. In a nonrandomized trial, we compared group cohesion in a team-oriented (dragon boat paddling team) and non-team-oriented (group walking program) group physical activity intervention. We hypothesized that group cohesion would be stronger among those who participated in the team-oriented dragon boat paddling team compared to the group walking program. Participants and Methods: 122/134 (91%) of participants who enrolled in the study completed the eight-week physical activity programs, dragon boat paddling team (n=68) or group walking program (n=54). Group cohesion was measured post-intervention using a modified 11 item version of the Group Environment Questionnaire. We tested differences in median cohesion scores between paddlers and walkers using the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test, a nonparametric equivalent of the t-test which is robust to deviations from the normality assumption. Results: Following completion of the group physical activity program, the median group cohesion score for paddlers was statistically significantly higher than for walkers (paddlers=4.36, walkers=3.73, p=0.004). Conclusions: Participating in a team sport was associated with significantly higher group cohesion even in comparison to a group physical activity program that was not team oriented. These novel findings suggest that team-oriented physical activity programs such as dragon boat paddling may provide a greater opportunity for social support through increased group cohesion than a group-based walking program. Future studies should examine the mechanisms underlying these differences and the outcomes associated with increased cohesion. Among cancer survivors, team membership may provide a natural source of social support. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):A118.
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