The influence of the group with elderly exercisers

This study examined the relationship of group cohesion to attitude and cont rol 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 asses sed as well as attitude toward exercise, perceptions of control over attend ance, and exercise intention. Following the assessment of the cognitive var iables, exercise attendance was monitored for 4 weeks. Results revealed tha t task cohesion was related to perceptions of control (p < .05), whereas so cial cohesion was related to attitude toward exercise (p < .05). In turn, p erceptions of control were related to intention to exercise (p < .01), and intention to exercise and perceptions of control were related to exercise c lass attendance (p < .01). Contrary to predictions, task cohesion did add t o the prediction of attitude, but attitude was not related to exercise inte ntions.