Study on the Effectiveness of Community-based Fitness Interventions in Developing Leadership Qualities Among Youth
Abstract
This study investigates the effectiveness of community-based fitness interventions in developing leadership qualities among youth. With increasing emphasis on holistic development, physical fitness programs embedded within communities are emerging as powerful tools to nurture leadership traits such as self-confidence, teamwork, decision-making, and responsibility. The research focuses on structured fitness activities—like group sports, yoga sessions, and outdoor challenges—organized by local bodies, NGOs, and volunteer groups. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study examines both quantitative outcomes and qualitative experiences of participating youth to assess behavioral and attitudinal changes. It also explores the influence of demographic factors such as age, gender, and socio-economic background on leadership development. Findings are expected to highlight the significant role of physical engagement in fostering youth leadership and offer insights into best practices for designing impactful community programs. The study contributes to the fields of youth development, public health, and education by providing actionable strategies for empowering future leaders through community fitness.
References
Pate, R. R., Saunders, R. P., Ward, D. S., Felton, G., Trost, S. G., & Dowda, M. (2003). Evaluation of a community-based intervention to promote physical activity in youth: lessons from Active Winners. American Journal of Health Promotion, 17(3), 171-182.
Forneris, T., Whitley, M. A., & Barker, B. (2013). The reality of implementing community-based sport and physical activity programs to enhance the development of underserved youth: Challenges and potential strategies. Quest, 65(3), 313-331.
Seguin, R. A., Palombo, R., Economos, C. D., Hyatt, R., Kuder, J., & Nelson, M. E. (2008). Factors related to leader implementation of a nationally disseminated community-based exercise program: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 5(1), 62.
Petersen, J. C., Judge, L., & Pierce, D. A. (2012). Conducting a community-based experiential-learning project to address youth fitness. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 83(6), 30-36.
Ponciano Núñez, P. D., Portela-Pino, I., & Martinez-Patino, M. J. (2023). Understanding the characteristics of community youth sports programs interventions: a systematic review and recommendations. Sage Open, 13(2), 21582440231179206.
Bryant, C. A., Courtney, A. H., McDermott, R. J., Alfonso, M. L., Baldwin, J. A., Nickelson, J., ... & Zhu, Y. (2010). Promoting physical activity among youth through community‐based prevention marketing. Journal of School Health, 80(5), 214-224.
Teufel-Shone, N. I., Siyuja, T., Watahomigie, H. J., & Irwin, S. (2006). Community-based participatory research: conducting a formative assessment of factors that influence youth wellness in the Hualapai community. American Journal of Public Health, 96(9), 1623-1628.
Satterfield, D. W., Volansky, M., Caspersen, C. J., Engelgau, M. M., Bowman, B. A., Gregg, E. W., ... & Vinicor, F. (2003). Community-based lifestyle interventions to prevent type 2 diabetes. Diabetes care, 26(9), 2643-2652.
Zabrinskie, R. B., Lundberg, N. R., & Groff, D. G. (2005). Quality of life and identity: The benefits of community-based therapeutic recreation and adaptive sports program. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 39(3), 176.
Fragala-Pinkham, M. A., Haley, S. M., & Goodgold, S. (2006). Evaluation of a community-based group fitness program for children with disabilities. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 18(2), 159-167.
Rimmer, J. A., & Rowland, J. L. (2008). Physical activity for youth with disabilities: a critical need in an underserved population. Developmental neurorehabilitation, 11(2), 141-148.
Pate, R. R., Davis, M. G., Robinson, T. N., Stone, E. J., McKenzie, T. L., & Young, J. C. (2006). Promoting physical activity in children and youth: a leadership role for schools: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Physical Activity Committee) in collaboration with the Councils on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young and Cardiovascular Nursing. Circulation, 114(11), 1214-1224.
Ohmer, M. L. (2016). Strategies for preventing youth violence: Facilitating collective efficacy among youth and adults. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 7(4), 681-705.
Collingwood, T. R., Sunderlin, J., Reynolds, R., & Kohl III, H. W. (2000). Physical training as a substance abuse prevention intervention for youth. Journal of drug education, 30(4), 435-451.
Tapp, H., White, L., Steuerwald, M., & Dulin, M. (2013). Use of community-based participatory research in primary care to improve healthcare outcomes and disparities in care. Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research, 2(4), 405-419.
Long, J. A., Lee, R. S., Federico, S., Battaglia, C., Wong, S., & Earnest, M. (2011). Developing leadership and advocacy skills in medical students through service learning. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 17(4), 369-372.
Baldridge, B. J., Beck, N., Medina, J. C., & Reeves, M. A. (2017). Toward a new understanding of community-based education: The role of community-based educational spaces in disrupting inequality for minoritized youth. Review of Research in Education, 41(1), 381-402.
Jacquez, F., Vaughn, L. M., & Wagner, E. (2013). Youth as partners, participants or passive recipients: A review of children and adolescents in community-based participatory research (CBPR). American journal of community psychology, 51(1), 176-189.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Kavya Setu

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.