To examine the indirect relationships between physical activity, and well-being (i.e., need satisfaction, subjective vitality, and stress) of individuals, through recovery experiences (i.e., detachment from lockdown, relaxation, mastery, and control over leisure time) during the spring 2020 COVID-19 lockdown. Methods. 405 participants answered an online survey including questions on physical activity, recovery experiences, subjective vitality, perceived stress, and basic psychological needs satisfaction. Structural equation modeling tested a full-mediated model in which physical activity predicted recovery experience, which in turn predicted well-being. Results. Physical activity was positively related to a latent variable representing recovery experiences, which in turn was positively related to a latent variable representing well-being. Conclusions. Physical activity carried out regularly during the COVID-19 lockdown positively predicted well-being through recovery experiences. The study results highlight the importance of maintaining or increasing physical activity during periods when recovery experiences and well-being may be threatened.

Current research highlights the need to critically examine the factors that can reduce the relationship between work stress and burnout to improve employee health and well-being, as well as to create healthier workplaces. The objective of this study was to enhance insight into the association between stress and job burnout by testing the moderated moderating effect of off-job physical activity (PA) and intrinsic motivation for off-job PA on this association. A total of 369 university staff (70% females) completed a web survey comprising measures of perceived stress, job burnout, PA, and intrinsic motivation for PA. A three-way conditional process model revealed that the “Stress × PA” interaction was significant for cognitive weariness, and that the three-way interaction between “Stress × PA × Intrinsic Motivation for PA” was significantly related to job burnout, and to cognitive weariness. The results highlight (a) that stress was associated with higher levels of job burnout; (b) that under a high stress condition, PA was negatively linked to cognitive weariness; and (c) that intrinsic motivation for PA reinforced the positive moderating effect of PA on the stress–burnout relationship, especially when stress is high.

Abstract. Work vigor is defined by cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. The purpose of this multi-study paper was to develop a French version of the Shirom-Melamed Vigor Measure (F-SMVM), and test its (a) construct validity (i.e., factorial structure and internal consistency), (b) convergent and discriminant validity with the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), and (c) concurrent validity with work motivation and job satisfaction. Six hundred and forty (61.72% female) employees participated in the three present studies. Convergent and discriminant construct validity of the F-SMVM were examined with a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and a multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) analysis. Concurrent validity was examined through correlations and regressions with work motivation and job satisfaction. Overall, the results supported the reliability and the construct validity of the F-SMVM. They also showed evidence of convergent validity between the F-SMVM and the UWES-9, as well as evidence of concurrent validity with work motivation and job satisfaction. The F-SMVM represents a valid measure assessing three interrelated dimensions representing physical, cognitive, and emotional components of work engagement.

The present study aimed to increase understanding of well‐being in workplace community by examining a moderated mediated model including the test of the mediating effect of needs satisfaction, and the moderating effect of physical activity on the sense of community—vigor relationship, in a longitudinal perspective. The sample was composed of 95 workers (63.6% females) who completed an online survey three times during a 4‐month period. Results showed that the indirect effect of sense of community on vigor 4 months later, through satisfaction of need for relatedness, is significant among employees who practice a high level of moderate to vigorous physical activity. The findings suggest that (a) sense of community—conceived as a job resource—is responsible for needs satisfaction and may be considered an important component of the vigor process, and (b) that positive effects of physical activity can enhance employees' resource gains and recovery, favoring the experience of vigor in workplace community.

BackgroundWOPAP is a theoretically-grounded workplace physical activity intervention that aims to reduce work-related burnout and to improve vigor at work and other work-related outcomes. Using a randomized controlled trial, we investigate whether a 10-week program including two Nordic walking sessions per week is effective in improving employee well-being at work, in comparison with another attractive leisure activity (Theatre condition) or a waiting list control condition. The design of the study makes it possible to test the effect on burnout and vigor of the instructor’s style during physical activity (i.e., traditional vs. need-supportive style). Finally, this study is also interested in several possible psychological (i.e., detachment, relaxation, mastery, control, relatedness, and positive affects experiences) and physiological (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness) mechanisms through which the practice of physical activity in the intervention could influence burnout and vigor.MethodsEmployees of the authors’ University (N = 140) will be recruited via email, leaflets, and posters. Participants will be randomized to one of the four arms of the trial: (1) Physical Activity Traditional Style, (2) Physical Activity Need-Supportive Style, (3) Theatre condition, and (4) Waiting List Control. The experimental phase will last 10 weeks, followed by a six-month follow-up. During the ten weeks of the intervention, all groups – except the waiting list control – will carry out two activity sessions per week. Primary outcomes are burnout and vigor, secondary outcomes are work motivation, job satisfaction, work performance and work ability. These variables will be assessed before and after the intervention, and at three and six months after the end of the intervention. Moreover, burnout, vigor, needs satisfaction at work and psychological mediators will be assessed weekly throughout the intervention period.DiscussionIf effective, this study will provide evidence for the promotion of workplace physical activity interventions including a need-supportive climate to improve employee well-being. Results could be used to design new research protocols, but also to implement more efficient programs in the workplace.Trial registrationISRCTN12725337. Registered 21 March 2018. Registered retrospectively.