Dyadic partnership in the context of joint physical activity in subjects participating in dance

Abstract

Background: The research of interpersonal behaviour associated with physical activity is limited on relationship of coaches and athletes. Thus, studies focused on dyadic partnership in association with joint physical activities seem to be desirable. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess differences between men's and women's own and their partner's interpersonal style and satisfaction with joint physical activities and to assess the relationship between an individual interpersonal style, complementarity or similarity of interpersonal behaviour in a dyadic partnership. Methods: The research sample consists of adult couples pursuing sport dance for at least three years (22 men, age 47.50 ± 8.24 years; 22 women, age 45.27 ± 8.35 years). The measurement was performed by means of the Interpersonal check list and Physical activity satisfaction questionnaire. Differences between men and women were assessed by a t-test for two independent samples. The relationship between interpersonal assessment and satisfaction with joint physical activity was assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient. In addition, the data were subjected to a cluster analysis with the aim to obtain findings which are not represented by an individual but by a pair. Results: Women who are more satisfied with themselves in the context of joint physical activity are assessed by their partners as dominant (r = .602, p = .003) and also perceive their partners as little dominant (r = -.561, p = .007). Conclusion: Men and women assess their own personality in a similar way in terms of dominance and submission. The main difference between men and women is in the assessment of each other. Women in a dominant position in a relationship are less satisfied with their partner in the area of joint physical activity compared with women in a submissive position.