Leaders promote attendance in sport and exercise sessions by fostering social identity.

M Stevens,N K Steffens,T Rees,P Coffee,R Polman,S A Haslam

doi:10.1111/sms.13217

Abstract

Sport and exercise participation exert a positive effect on numerous aspects of individuals' health. Although sport and exercise leaders have generally been observed to play a key role in shaping group members' behavior, our understanding of their impact on group members' attendance in sport and exercise sessions is limited. To address this, and building on promising findings in other domains, we examined the associations between perceptions of sport and exercise leaders' engagement in social identity leadership, group identification, and attendance. A sample of 583 participants from sports teams (n=307) and exercise groups (n=276) completed questionnaires measuring identity leadership, group identification, and attendance. Analyses demonstrated that perceptions of leader engagement in social identity leadership were positively associated with members' group identification, and that this in turn was positively associated with their attendance in either a sports group or an exercise group. Moreover, there was a significant indirect effect for perceptions of leader engagement in identity leadership on group members' attendance through their greater identification with these groups. Findings highlight the importance of considering the impact sport and exercise leaders have on group members' attendance and suggest that leaders who represent, advance, create, and embed a shared sense of identity (ie, a shared sense of "us") among attendees can promote participation in sport and exercise.

Highlights

Physical activity is associated with numerous physiological and psychological health benefits, including a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer, as well as greater life satisfaction, self- esteem, and cognitive functioning.[1,2] Despite these benefits, physical inactivity levels remain high, with global data suggesting that almost a quarter of adults (23.3%) worldwide are insufficiently active.[3]
While previous social identity leadership research in sport and exercise settings has focused on its potential to enhance performance,[7,8] this study offers a fresh perspective on the way that leaders might encourage participation in sport and exercise
The present findings suggest that sport and exercise leaders who behave in a way that speaks to their capacity to create, represent, advance, and embed an identity that is shared by the particular group they wish to lead may promote members’ participation in group-relevant activity

Summary

Introduction

Physical activity is associated with numerous physiological and psychological health benefits, including a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer, as well as greater life satisfaction, self- esteem, and cognitive functioning.[1,2] Despite these benefits, physical inactivity levels remain high, with global data suggesting that almost a quarter of adults (23.3%) worldwide are insufficiently active.[3]. | 2101 settings, sport and exercise leaders represent a potentially powerful source of influence on group members’ behaviors.[7] current understanding of how they might facilitate individuals’ positive health-related behaviors — in particular their participation — is limited. We examined associations between social identity leadership, group identification, and participants’ attendance at sport and exercise sessions. While previous social identity leadership research in sport and exercise settings has focused on its potential to enhance performance,[7,8] this study offers a fresh perspective on the way that leaders might encourage participation in sport and exercise

Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion