LAUSR

The group-based intervention of team building (TB) has been found to foster group cohesion and exercise adherence. To date, TB interventions have typically used a leader who is present within the exercise setting to deliver the intervention. Given the high accessibility and global popularity of the Internet, a TB intervention delivered online has the potential to effectively reach populations at risk of physical inactivity such as first-year university students. Yet, to our knowledge research has not examined the efficacy of a TB exercise intervention delivered online. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of an online TB exercise intervention to enhance cohesion, group task satisfaction, physical fitness and exercise adherence. The purpose was explored in two phases. In Phase 1, first-year university students (n = 27) completed questionnaires assessing cohesion and group task satisfaction in addition to physical fitness tests pre- and post-an eight-week online TB exercise intervention. Results revealed that post-intervention, cohesion increased along with group task satisfaction and measures of physical fitness. In Phase 2, adherers (n = 15), dropouts (n = 4) and exercise leaders (n = 4) participated in focus-group interviews. Themes emerged revealing reasons for adherence, such as cohesion, as well as reasons for dropout, such as perceived lack of time. Collectively, the findings support the efficacy of an online TB exercise intervention to foster cohesion, increase group task satisfaction and improve physical fitness.