Implementing a Physical Activity Promoting Program in a Flex-Office: A Process Evaluation with a Mixed Methods Design.

Viktoria Wahlström,Lisbeth Slunga Järvholm,Mette Harder,Therese Eskilsson,Anncristine Fjellman-Wiklund

doi:10.3390/ijerph17010023

Viktoria Wahlström, Lisbeth Slunga Järvholm + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010023

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate facilitating and hindering factors when implementing a physical activity (PA)-promoting program among office workers moving to a flex office, by conducting a process evaluation. Additionally, we evaluated self-reported and perceived PA behaviors. With a mixed methods design, analyses were based upon data from interviews with 70 employees and repeated questionnaires from 152 employees. The PA-promoting program was fully implemented and supported by management. There was a strong health promoting culture, encouraging PA in the organization already at the start of the study. The lecture and the office design were rated as the most motivating program components. The use of stairs, breaks during meetings and social acceptance for standing and walking at work increased. Employees described a strive for variation, and how managers, the office environment, productivity and ergonomic aspects influenced sedentary behavior (SB) and PA. The need for the PA-promoting program was questioned, and the timing of the program was debated. To conclude, a strong organizational health culture combined with a facilitating physical environment can create sustainable positive PA behaviors in office settings. A thorough understanding of organizational needs and a participatory process are needed to tailor organizational interventions to decrease SB.

Highlights

Due to advancing technical developments, working life has changed enormously during the last decades, and over the last 50 years, the proportion of workers with sedentary work tasks has greatly increased [1]
Studies have shown that employees in offices are seated for up to 80% of their work time; it is of public health importance to decrease sedentary behavior (SB) and increase physical activity (PA) among office workers [5,6,7,8]
At baseline there was a difference between men and women for time spent with computer work per day (p = 0.018), and habits for physical exercise (p = 0.020)

Summary

Introduction

Due to advancing technical developments, working life has changed enormously during the last decades, and over the last 50 years, the proportion of workers with sedentary work tasks has greatly increased [1]. Studies have shown that employees in offices are seated for up to 80% of their work time; it is of public health importance to decrease SB and increase physical activity (PA) among office workers [5,6,7,8]. Recent cluster randomized trials in office settings [7,10,11], including sit-stand workstations in combination with multilevel strategies, have shown reductions in sedentary time, that are likely to lead to improvements in. Measurements: To measure self-rated PA behaviors and perceptions of the different possibilities to be active at work, we adapted questions from a previous study [32], since no validated questions were available. The usage of different possibilities to be active at work was assessed by six items (standing while working, standing at meetings, taking the stairs, participating in walking meetings, walking or cycling to meetings outside the office and using treadmill workstations), each with a

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