The Social Exerciser: how exercising as part of a group can be beneficial

Working as part of a team can have positive effects on your performance. The Kohler (1927) effect – unexpected improvements in individual performance in a group task – suggests that you should join a team or group which shares a performance goal, and even something as simple as exercising with a partner who shares a goal with you can produce the effect.

Many people struggle to maintain regular exercise programs, citing amongst other barriers to exercise a lack of enjoyment and a lack of discernible progress. Both those barriers can be overcome by exercising as part of a group. Social facilitation theory (Triplett, 1897) suggests that we perform simple tasks (such as gym based exercise) better when we are around other people, and several studies have demonstrated that by training with someone perceived as marginally better both motivation and performance rises. Find a training partner, work with a personal trainer who is willing to train with you not just train you, or pick an opponent or a doubles partner you feel is a slightly better player and reap the rewards.

Bandura (1977a) states that people are more likely to engage in a challenging task, or one perceived as not enjoyable, if they believe they will receive a reward (either tangible or intangible) for doing so. If you’re not someone who loves the gym then creating an environment where positive feedback is more likely will improve your chances of starting, and sticking to, an exercise program. In a team setting there are far more opportunities to share resources (Shumaker & Brownell, 1984); to receive positive feedback, learn new skills, and develop capabilities to deal with stress. Improved confidence and reduced stress will have a positive impact on the rest of your life, especially your health, and the social structure of a team gives more opportunity to make new friends and create new business relationships.

Modern business has begun to latch on to this link between group exercise and improved social interaction. The concept of “sweatworking”, a healthy alternative to the traditional networking standard of wining and dining, was coined in the USA and is now making an impression here in the UK with several health clubs offering themed group exercise sessions. The bottom line is; whatever you aim to achieve though exercise, you’ll have a better chance of being successful if you don’t try and go it alone.

Bandura, A. (1977a). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84, 191-215.

Kohler, O. (1927). On group efficiency of physical labor and the conditions of optimal collective performance (translation). Industrielle Psychotechnik, 4, 209-226.

Shumaker, S.A., & Brownell, A. (1984). Toward a theory of social support: Closing conceptual gaps. Journal of Social Issues, 40, 11-36.

Triplett, N. (1897). The dyanmogenic factors in pacemaking and competition. American Journal of Psychology, 9, 507-533.

“A strong body makes the mind strong.” - Is there a link between exercise and success?

Although Thomas Jefferson – to whom the quotation in my title is attributed – touted shooting as the most effective sport to develop both mind and body, I will also quote another famous American politician who said “If you make a commitment to better your physical health, you’ll find the same self-discipline, focus, and drive for success carries through into the rest of your life’s activities” (Schwarzenegger, 1998). You can’t argue with Arnie, at least not to his face. Both men can certainly be regarded as “successful”, and both seem to agree on a link between being physically active and improved performance in other areas of life.

To contemporise things a little, Coulson et al. (2008) investigated the effects of exercise on self-reported work performance. The type of exercise undertaken was monitored but regardless of type, duration, or intensity the study showed significant improvements in mood and self-reported performance on days that the participants exercised compared with days that they didn’t. The participants had been selected from largely sedentary jobs, but importantly their employers provided facilities for exercise in the workplace. So how is this relevant? A happier, more motivated workforce is undeniably a more productive and successful one.

To digress into the field of exercise/health psychology, there is a clear link between exercise and wellbeing. Ogden (2007) discusses the positive effects of exercise on longevity, and how important physical activity is in relation to heart disease amongst other potentially fatal conditions (it’s hard to be successful when you’re dead...). She also delves into the many psychological effects of regular exercise, including improved responses to workplace stress, and improved self-confidence (a reoccurring theme).  Can exercise improve intelligence too? Renowned child psychologist Jean Piaget (1936) stated that physical activity and motor development was a key part of a child’s cognitive development, and believed this link may continue in adulthood. Whilst there has been no solid evidence in applying this to adult populations, a running theme across research has found improved cognitive function tends to be linked to regular, structured exercise programs (Weinberg & Gould, 2003).

Back to the real world, and one important question; how can the improvements in mood, perceived performance at work, self-confidence, motivation, physical and mental health, and cognitive ability gained through regular exercise contribute to success? I don’t need to spell it out.

Coulson, J.C., McKenna, J., & Field, M. (2008). Exercising at work and self-reported work performance. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 1: 176-197.

Ogden, J. (2007). Health Psychology: A Textbook. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Piaget, J. (1936). The moral judgment of the child. New York: Harcourt & Brace.

Schwarzenegger, A. (1998) The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks.

Weinberg, R.S. & Gould, D. (2003). Foundations of Sport & Exercise Psychology. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Will Brooks

Chartwell Magazine is delighted to welcome Will as one of our regular sports, health and wellbeing writers. Will is degree educated in Sports Psychology, and aspiring to gain a Masters in Strength and Conditioning next year. Will has several years experience in the fitness industry and is a strong advocate of physical activity for all.