Group and leadership effects on social anxiety experienced during an exercise class

This study examined the effects of the group environment and group leadersh ip style on social anxiety experienced by participants (N = 90) in a 40-min step aerobics class. In a 2 x 2 factorial design, group environment (enric hed/bland) was manipulated. along with the fitness instructor's leadership style (enriched/bland). Participants in the enriched group condition had si gnificantly higher social anxiety (M = 15.1)than did those in the bland gro up condition (M = 12.0, p < .05). Also, participants tended to have less so cial anxiety when the instructor used an enriched leadership style (M = 12. 4) than when she used a bland leadership style (M = 14.8. p =.08). Discussi on focuses on aspects of the social environment that can affect social anxi ety during group exercise classes.