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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Jul 1.
Published in final edited form as: Am J Prev Med. 2015 Jul;49(1):41–49. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2015.01.019

Table 1.

Examples of evidence-based strategies used to facilitate group cohesion in Walk Your Heart to Health32

Components Strategies
Group environment Distinctiveness

  • Encourage members to wear Walk Your Heart to Health t-shirts and use Walk Your Heart to Health water bottles14

  • Identify group name14
Group processes Collective goals

  • Set group goals for number of steps walked38
Cooperation

  • Organize carpools for members to travel to and from walking group location37
Interaction

  • Facilitate peer sharing and problem solving on topics related to nutrition and physical activity39

  • Encourage members to attend events (e.g. Thanksgiving dinner, concert) organized by other members
Group structure Roles

  • Request volunteers to assume responsibility for walking group facilitation tasks (e.g. attendance, warm-up, cool-down)36
Norms

  • Establish group norms (e.g. arrive on-time) 14