Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
05:59
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Generalizing the findings from group dynamics-based physical activity research to practice settings: what do we know?
Samantha M Harden1, Shauna M Burke2, Amanda M Haile3
1Virginia Tech, Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Blacksburg, VA, USA harden.samantha@vt.edu.
Evaluation & the Health Professions
|May 30, 2013
Summary
Group dynamics interventions for physical activity promotion often lack reporting on external validity factors crucial for real-world application. Improving reporting on reach, adoption, and maintenance is key for research translation.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Translating research into practice is a significant challenge in public health interventions.
- Group dynamics strategies are increasingly used in physical activity promotion.
- Understanding the research processes of these interventions is vital for successful implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess how group dynamics-based physical activity interventions align with research processes that facilitate translation into practice.
- To evaluate the reporting of internal and external validity factors in these interventions.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of a prior systematic review.
- Systematic literature search across multiple databases (Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, Arts and Humanities Citation Index, MEDLINE) for studies published before 2010.
- Coding of 17 intervention studies using the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance (RE-AIM) framework and the Pragmatic-Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary (PRECIS).
Main Results:
- Reporting was infrequent for external validity factors (representativeness, adoption, cost, maintenance) but more common for internal validity factors (inclusion criteria).
- Intervention costs were not reported in any of the studies.
- Studies exhibited pragmatic trial design characteristics for participant compliance and practitioner adherence, while being more explanatory for practitioner expertise and protocol flexibility.
Conclusions:
- Group dynamics-based physical activity interventions frequently underreport external validity factors, hindering research translation.
- Despite some pragmatic trial designs, critical information for real-world application remains insufficiently reported.
- Future research should prioritize comprehensive reporting of external validity to enhance the practical implementation of physical activity interventions.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Levels of Communication II: Organizational, Public, and Group Dynamics
Effective communication is the foundation of a good organization. Communication is the lifeblood of an organization that connects the group with messages. In an organization, communication occurs in upward, downward, and horizontal lines. Downward communication travels from the administrative and senior levels to the staff through official channels such as manuals, rules and regulations, and organizational charts. Staff members initiate upward communication, which is addressed to executives and...
01:29Social Psychology and Individual Behavior
Social psychology examines how group dynamics, emotions, and cultural influences shape individual actions and decision-making. These elements interact to form behavioral patterns that affect personal choices and social interactions.The Role of Group DynamicsGroups play a crucial role in shaping behavior by reinforcing norms and expectations. Individuals derive a sense of self from group membership, often aligning their behaviors with group norms to maintain social cohesion. For example, an...
01:26Group Therapy
Group therapy is a sociocultural approach to psychological treatment, where individuals with shared psychological challenges come together under the guidance of a mental health professional. This therapeutic modality offers unique opportunities for individuals to connect, share, and grow within the context of a supportive group. By fostering mutual understanding and collaboration, group therapy can address a range of psychological concerns effectively, often complementing or surpassing the...
01:04Social Facilitation
Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.
01:25Impact of Individuals on a Group
In social psychology, the interplay between individuals and groups is a central concern, particularly regarding how individual actions and characteristics influence group processes and outcomes. While much research emphasizes the group's power in shaping individual behavior, it is equally significant to understand how individuals contribute to the functioning, development, and success of groups.Individual Roles in Group Productivity and Decision-MakingIndividuals are not passive participants in...
01:30Impact of Individuals on Individuals
Human behavior is intricately shaped by social influences that arise from interactions with others in diverse contexts. These influences not only mold beliefs and attitudes but also drive the regulation of behaviors through both direct communication and observational learning. The study of these processes falls within the domain of social psychology, which seeks to understand how individuals are affected by and affect those around them.Mechanisms of Social InfluenceDirect social influence...