TDNet Discover

This proposed mixed-methods capstone study will examine how leadership communication will influence participant satisfaction in group fitness programming within a large active-adult retirement community. As participation in organized wellness programs continues to increase among older adults, expectations related to communication clarity, responsiveness, and program consistency also increase (American Council on Exercise, 2020; American College of Sports Medicine , 2021). Guided by Self-Determination Theory and the Social Ecological Model, this proposed capstone study will explore how leadership practices will support participant autonomy, competence, and social connection while accounting for organizational and environmental influences (Ryan & Deci, 2020; Sallis et al., 2020). A mixed-methods approach will examine participant perceptions through feedback data and organizational artifacts (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018; Mertler, 2020). The purpose of the proposed capstone study will be to identify patterns that support leadership decision-making and will support continuous improvement in parks and recreation settings (National Recreation and Park Association, 2021; Northouse, 2022). The findings will enhance leadership communication strategies, strengthen participant satisfaction, and contribute to practitioner-based scholarship within active adult recreation environments.