Effectiveness of Interventions Based on a Comprehensive Model for Promoting Physical Activity and Improving Health-related and Fitness Indices in Employees

Abstract

Purpose To reduce physical inactivity at work, today's work environments require the design of interventions that can effectively enhance the level of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of interventions based on a comprehensive model for promoting physical activity behaviors and improving health-related and physiological physical fitness indices in administrative employees of the industrial sector.Methods In this randomized, controlled trial study that included 170 administrative employees. The intervention group was subjected to a series of interventions based on a comprehensive model for practical and physical activities for 6 months. Data collection instruments used were a demographic checklist, Baecke Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire, health-related and physiological physical fitness testing and a researcher-developed questionnaire based on the comprehensive model constructs.Data analysis was conducted by the SPSS 21 using chi-square, independent and paired t-test, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U test, and repeated measures ANOVA. The significance level was considered 95%. The mean age of the subjects was 36.99(±7.69 SD) years old and all of them were male.Results The mean total physical activity index in the intervention group at 3 and 6 months after the intervention significantly increased compared to control group. The mean values of health-related and physiological physical indices, i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular endurance, flexibility and physical composition, in intervention group significantly increased compared to control group. Conclusion Designing interventions based on a comprehensive model to examine the broader and multi-level approaches between environmental, biological and psychological factors can affect physical activity behaviors and promote health behaviors.