Workplace exercise for changing health behavior related to physical activity

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Physical Activity in the workplace has received special attention from researchers who are looking to promote lifelong health and well-being. The workplace is being investigated as a possible place to assess and create strategies to help people to become healthier. The transtheoretical model and stages of change has been adapted as a tool to assess the stages of behavioral change towards exercising. OBJECTIVE: To assess the change in health behavior following a three-month exercise program based in the workplace. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study design was used in which 165 employees participated in the study. An intervention program of workplace exercise was applied for three months. Participants were assessed through the transtheoretical model and stages of change questionnaire before and after intervention to understand changes in their position on the behavioral change continuum. RESULTS: The number of employees who were physically active increased after the workplace exercise intervention (13.9%, 95% CI 9.5 to 20.1

P = 0.009). There was a significant decrease in the proportion of employees in the pre-contemplation stage (-6.1%, 95% CI 3.3 to 10.8

P = 0.045) and contemplation stage (-11.5%, 95% CI 7.5 to 17.3

P = 0.017), and a significant increase in the action stage (10.9%, 95% CI 7.0 to 16.6

P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Engaging in workplace exercise has a significant positive effect on health behavior and willingness to become more physically active.