Cohesion and adherence within new members in outpatient heart groups – a longitudinal study

Background: Although positive health effects of regular and long-term participation in outpatient heart
groups are well known, studies on adherence show low participation rates and high dropout rates. In the
exercise setting, group cohesion has been shown to be an important factor for adherence behaviour.
However, in the specific context of cardiac exercise programs, studies on cohesion are rare and show
inconsistent results. Therefore, the aim of the present study was, to investigate the dynamics of group
cohesion, and the predictive relationship between group cohesion and adherence in new members of
outpatient heart groups over a one year period.
Methods: 39 new members (25% female) of various outpatient heart groups aged 50-75 years participated
in the study. A German-language version of the Physical Activity Group Environment Questionnaire,
assessed group cohesion at three measurement points. Adherence was measured by percentage at three
participation time points.
Results: Multilevel analyses showed a positive development of group cohesion. The analyses revealed no
significant correlation between group cohesion and adherence.
Conclusions: Our results provide empirical evidence for the theoretically hypothesized dynamic
development of group cohesion in outpatient heart groups. However, other factors than cohesion appear
to influence adherence of new members in outpatient heart groups.