Freshman Fitteen: Effects of an online team building exercise intervention

Abstract

Previous research revealed positive relationships between team building (TB), cohesion, and group task satisfaction in exercise settings (Bruner & Spink, 2011; Carron & Spink, 1993). However, researchers have yet to examine the efficacy of an online TB intervention to foster these constructs in a similar activity context. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of an 8-week online TB intervention, Freshman Fitteen, designed to enhance group cohesion, group task satisfaction and physical performance in first year university students. Twenty-seven participants (Mage=18.6, SD =1.3) completed questionnaires assessing cohesion and group task satisfaction and a series of physical fitness tests at baseline and following the completion of the 8-week intervention. After controlling for baseline assessments, results revealed significant increases in cohesion (ATG-T, ATG-S and GI-T), group task satisfaction and two measures of physical fitness (push-ups and vertical jump height) (ps. <.05). These findings extend previous TB research to an online platform and provide preliminary support for the use of online TB interventions as an effective group-based strategy designed to promote group cohesion, group task satisfaction and physical performance in an exercise setting. 

Acknowledgments: The project was supported by the Schulich School of Education, Nipissing University.