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Physical Activity in the Workplace: A Cultural Fit ? Chris Tzarimas
Physical Activity in the Workplace:
A Cultural Fit ?
Chris Tzarimas
Contents Physical activity: Australian data.
Definitions of physical activity.
Physical Activity guidelines (updated).
Changing health-related behaviours: 2 frameworks.
Exercise Is Medicine: Resources (incl. ‘Be
Active at Work’ (online) survey.
Questions: fire at will !
Australian data Inactivity is the second highest lifestyle-related cause of chronic
disease and illness in Australia – only behind smoking. Graded exercise is highly effective in preventing and/or treating
most of the major common chronic diseases of modern society. almost 70% of the Australian adult population fail to meet the
minimum recommendations for physical activity. Less than 2.0% of GP consultations involve physical activity advice. The workplace has been identified as the ideal setting to promote
physical activity within the adult population, producing multiple benefits. Productivity (Presenteeism & Absenteeism)
Consider 2 behaviours:
Physical activity may be incidental or structured
Incidental PA: activities of daily living (ADL’s)
Structured PA: exercise
Sedentary behaviour (inactivity physiology)
Physical Activity Guidelines
Physical Activity Guidelines AHA & ACSM: Updated (2007) National
Guidelines for Physical Activity and Public Health1.
Guidelines refer to leisure-time physical activity 2 sets of guidelines:
adults (18 to 65 yrs) older adults (over 65yrs or 50-64yrs with chronic
health conditions or physical limitations)
1. Circulation. 2006;116:000-000.
What Type & How Much ? - Adults
Aerobic Activity Moderate-intensity activity for a minimum of 30min 5 days
each week
OR Vigorous-intensity activity for 20min on 3 days each week Intensities can be combined to meet recommendations Eg: walk briskly for 30min twice each week & jog for 20min on
other 2 days of the week
What Type & How Much ? - Adults
Resistance (Strength) Training
To promote and maintain musculoskeletal health & physical independence
8-10 exercises performed 2-3 (non-consecutive) days each week
Weight training, calisthenics, exercise bands/tubes
What Type & How Much ? - Older Adults
As for Adult Guidelines, plus: Balance exercises (for falls prevention) for a minimum 3
times per week Stretching major muscle groups at least 2 days per week
10-30 seconds static, with each stretch performed 3-4 times
Activity Plan Developed to ensure optimal health benefits and appropriate
dose consult an accredited Exercise Physiologist
Exercise: Dispelling the ‘Myths’
“Need to use a gym to get fit” “Too old to begin structured physical activity” “Need to lose weight for exercise to be
successful” “Need to use sophisticated equipment to
perform strength training”
Changing health-related behaviours
2 frameworks: (4-category) barrier-enabler model
Stages of Change (Transtheoretical Model)
Barriers (& Enablers)
Barriers to increasing physical activity in individuals can be divided into 4 categories1:
intra-personal inter-personal environmental organisational
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. 2005;13:23-33
Intra-personal barriers refer to barriers within the individual. They may include:
psycho-social issues (eg self-efficacy, motivation)
physical issues (eg movement limitations, health status)
cultural issues (eg conforming to ‘social-age’, or exercise perceived as inappropriate)
Implications: Individual and/or group counselling.
Inter-personal barriers refer to barriers arising from the individual’s relationship with others. This may include: at home (eg an unsupportive partner, child-
minding responsibilities and/or household-tasks)
the workplace (eg an unsupportive employer, constantly working over-time)
other (extracurricular activities)
Implications: 1) Individual and/or group counselling. 2) Audit of organisation policy and support resources.
refer to barriers arising from the individual’s relationship with
Environmental barriers include:
weather
physical environment (eg uneven footpaths, inadequate lighting, unsafe area for exercise)
area lacks infrastructure for various physical activities (eg no cycle-ways or parks)
Implications: Assess workplace physical environment &
infrastructure ‘Workplace Environment Audit’.
include:
Organisational barriers refer to the obstacles arising from the proposed activity itself, demonstrated in the following examples: frequenting a fitness-centre:- the financial cost of the
membership may be a barrier, or the location of the centre may require excess travel time.
An aquarobics class:- the time the class is hosted may clash with other commitments, or the location of the class may be difficult to organise transport to.
Implications: Accessibility subsidise activity (partial or whole) &
increase scheduling frequency of activity.
Stages of Change
Pre-Contemplators
Inactive & no intent Implications: Awareness raising (plant the seed):
Health assessment
Information materials/resources
Role models & employee testimonials
Contemplators
Inactive, but intent (next 3 months) Implications: Address ambivalence decisional balance.
Support / advice: getting started; goal-setting; support networks.
Preparation
Intent & occasional activity
Implications: Identify & address potential barriers & enablers
Co-develop action plan
Relapse prevention strategies
Action
Consistently active for less than 6 months Implications: Self-management support.
Build self-efficacy.
Reinforce relapse prevention strategies.
Maintenance
Consistently active for 6 months or more
Implications:
Highlight the rewards
Review activity program or routine
Reinforce relapse prevention strategies.
exerciseismedicine.org.au
Physical Activity in the Workplace
Guidelines
Appendices:
Organisational Policy & Support Audit tool.
(Workplace) Environmental Audit tool.
Active Transport information/directory.
Multi-Purpose (Online) ‘Be Active at Work’ Survey User-friendly & quick (< 10min) online
questionnaire comprising 3 functions: Needs Assessment. (Questions: 3, 10-13)
Workplace Physical Activity Program: Data collation
& analysis for baseline & progress monitoring. (Questions: 1-2, 4-9, 12-15)
Individual Scoring: Personalised Feedback.
(Questions: 1, 5-7)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Low Physical Activity
'Nearly There' Active
273 51.8%
168 31.9%
86 16.3%
176 33.4%
208 39.5%
143 27.1%
Responses
Activity Levels
Activity Levels of Workforce
Baseline 12 months
Total staff: 573 Responses: 527 (92%)
Reasons indicated by staff why they are not more physically active during work hours.
79
297
384
68
71
188
372
209
194
77
112
63
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
Too tired
Not enough time
Lack of exercise/leisure facilities
Shift work
On the Road
Not encouraged at work
No shower facilities
Not motivated
No flexible time in work hours
Health issues/movement limitations
Already active enough
Other
Responses
Total staff: 573 Responses: 527 (92%)
