The relationship between involvement in group extreme conditioning program training and PERMA: the mediating role of social capital

Introduction: Group exercise in the form of an extreme conditioning program training can have positive psychological outcomes for participants. This study aims to investigate whether involvement in this kind of program affects the development of subjective well being, as measured by the PERMA profiler, considering social capital as a mediator in the relationship between involvement and subjective well being. Methods: The data were collected through an online survey of adults who participated in an extreme conditioning program training in Greece, with a sample of 590 individuals. Involvement was measured using a three-dimensional model: centrality, attraction, and self-expression. Social capital was measured based on the three domains: network, trust, and reciprocity. Finally, subjective well being was measured with the PERMA profiler, including the dimensions of positive emotions, engagement, positive relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Aiming to explore the direct and indirect effects of attraction, centrality, and self-expression on positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment, via social capital, a mediation analysis was conducted. The mediation model was assessed through path coefficients, and indirect effects were examined to ascertain the degree to which social capital mediated the relationship between attraction, centrality, self-expression, and well being dimensions. Results: The results indicated moderate to strong statistical relationships between involvement and social capital, as well as between social capital and well being. Furthermore, social capital fully mediated the relationship between centrality and well being and partially mediated the relationship between attraction and well being. These results support the value of group exercise in the form of an extreme conditioning program. Conclusion: These results support the value of group exercise in the form of extreme conditioning program training in developing social capital and positively influencing participants' subjective well being.