Identifying and Assessing Interests and Concerns of Priority Populations for Work-Site Programs to Promote Physical Activity

Abstract

The work site has been identified as an ideal context for promoting physical activity. Assessing employee interest, identifying who could most benefit, and understanding impact of work-related barriers on potential participation is key. We conducted focus groups and surveyed the employee population of a large urban hospital. Using the “stages of change” construct, employees were categorized based on their motivation to exercise into exerciser, intender, and nonintender groups. Intenders were significantly more interested in most physical activity programs at work than were exercisers (p < .05). Intenders also found environmental and personal barriers to be more significant deterrents to participation than did exercisers (p < .01). Half of nonintenders reported interest in physical activity programs. Interest in physical activity programs at work is strong for employees who are not currently exercising. Both structural changes to promote safe environments and time allotments through work-related policies may encourage participation, especially for the priority populations of nonexercising employees.

Keywords

physical activity work environment interventions employee health promotion motivation to exercise barriers to exercise

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