POSSIBLE MEDIATORS AND MODERATORS OF THE CLASS SIZE-MEMBER ADHERENCE RELATIONSHIP IN EXERCISE

This study examined class size-member adherence relationships in exerc ise and determined if they were moderated by the instructor or mediate d by members' perceptions and satisfactions or class cohesion. Subject s were 256 university students enrolled in medium (18-26) or large (70 -90) size exercise classes. Satisfactions with and perceptions of the instructor, exercise environment, and classmates were assessed with 9- point Likert items. Cohesion was measured with a modified Group Enviro nment Questionnaire (Carron, Widmeyer, and Brawley, 1985). Adherence w as reflected by attendance and perceived exertion. The 2 X 2 (Size X I nstructor) ANOVAs showed members of large classes had better attendanc e and perceived that they optimally exerted themselves more frequently than did members of medium size classes. The nonsignificant instructo r effects indicated leadership was not a moderating variable. One-way MANOVAs revealed that members of the large classes were more socially cohesive, satisfied, and had more favorable perceptions, That none of these outcomes was related to attendance, but all three were related t o members' perceived exertion suggests that these variables may be med iating only the size-exertion relationship, Results emphasize the impo rtance of employing multiple measures of adherence, distinguishing bet ween adherence and compliance, and examining group variables such as s ize when studying physical activity participation.