Participants´ perceptions of fitness instructors´ behaviors: focus on feedback actions in group classes

Introduction: The Fitness instructor plays a role of recognized importance, whose intervention ranges from technical guidance, through encouragement and attention, to the creation of motivational strategies and communication style. Objective: To analyze the effectiveness and quality of group fitness classes, focusing on practitioners' perceptions of instructor behaviors, specifically in relation to the feedback actions delivered. Methods: The study group consisted of fifty regular attendees from two health clubs located in Viseu and Castro Daire’s regions. The QFIF-AG questionnaire was applied for this specific context, and descriptive and inferential data analyses were performed using version 29 of SPSS software. Results: High levels of agreement across all feedback dimensions were found. Proximity, form, moment of occurrence, and direction were the most highly valued dimensions, whereas affectivity and orientation received lower ratings. Significant differences were found according to gender (p = .04), age (p = .04), and practice experience (p ≤ .01), indicating variations in the perceived importance of specific feedback dimensions. Conclusion: Understanding the mechanisms that can enhance client adherence and loyalty is crucial to maintaining and increasing their regular physical activity levels.