Résumé
Social support is recognized as a key factor in promoting adults’ engagement, enjoyment, and adherence in physical activity (PA) programs. However, fitness professionals often receive little formal guidance on how to intentionally foster social support in group-based settings. In our collaborative pan-Canadian work, we developed an evidence-based training module based on reviews of published literature to educate fitness professionals on social support strategies. The impact of this training has yet to be tested. This study explored how fitness professionals experienced and implemented social support strategies after completing the training. A qualitative description methodology guided by a relativist ontology and constructivist epistemology was used to explore the practical application of support strategies in community-based PA programs for adults. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five fitness professionals who facilitated group PA programs for adults after completing the training. Participants reflected on how they integrated the strategies, the challenges they faced, and the contextual factors that shaped their efforts. Our analysis identified three themes: attending to the diverse needs and identities of participants, adapting social support strategies to program constraints, and communicating supportively and responding to participants’ emotions. Findings reflect the ways instructors worked to support diverse participants while navigating structural limitations and their own evolving confidence and skillsets. Many participants described the training as an opportunity to reflect more deeply on their teaching practices, strengthen intentionality, and expand their approach to fostering connection. This study offers practical insights to inform future instructor education aimed at enhancing social support in adult PA programs.
