Effectiveness of a Buddy System on Strength Training, Adherence, Confidence, and Perceived Health in College Females

Introduction: College females tend to not meet the minimum resistance training guidelines. Applying behavior change theories with a buddy system may contribute to greater strength training adherence because the reason for the behavior can be explained and accountability can be developed. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a buddy system on promoting adherence towards resistance training in the college female population and to see whether perceived health is improved after a 6-week resistance training intervention. Methods: 20 University of Eau Claire college females (mean age= 19.75 ± 0.97) were split into either the buddy group or no buddy group and given a structured resistance training program. Across a 6-week intervention, participants were required to resistance train at least twice per week, self-report their confidence levels and strength training frequency through a Qualtrics survey, and answer questions pre and post intervention pertaining to perceived health through the SF-36. Results: Multiple two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant time-effect for confidence. Utilizing the SF-36 instrument, the Perceived Health Change score at post-test was significantly higher than that at pre-test. No significance in group or interaction effect for confidence and for the seven other SF-36 domains. Based on paired samples t-tests, there was no significant change in resistance training frequency. Conclusions: Utilizing a buddy during exercise may not promote confidence to exercise but resistance training alone may assist in improving one’s perceived health. It would be of interest to further research on the usefulness of a buddy system in exercise and strength training promotion in different populations or over a longer time period.