Reflections on cohesion research with sport and exercise groups

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to highlight cohesion research emanating from sport and exercise investigations. Across 3 sections, we detail how physical activity cohesion research converges with, and diverges from, mainstream literature in other areas (e.g., organizational psychology). In the first section, information pertaining to the definition, conceptualization, and measurement of cohesion in sport and exercise is provided and contrasted with recent reviews on these topics from organizational psychology. The second section provides an overview of recent studies conducted within the physical activity context to illustrate the diverse nature of cohesion research in this area. Specifically, the summary of sport literature highlights the associations of personal, social, and team factors to cohesion, in addition to drawing attention to its potential maladaptive effects. Exercise research is summarized via associations with personal, leadership, environmental, and group factors. Finally, in the third section, future suggestions are provided encouraging researchers to explore (a) the temporal dynamics of cohesion, (b) greater theoretical integration, (c) measurement issues, and (d) diverse populations of physical activity participants.