Abstract
ObjectivesThis study investigated different patterns of physical activity (PA; frequency, intensity, and duration) among employees during and after participating in a worksite health-promotion intervention over a period of one year. The study aimed to assess whether different patterns of PA were associated with perceived competence and motivational regulations for PA. DesignA cluster randomized controlled trial with a delayed-intervention control group. The design of the group-based intervention was based on the tenets of Self-determination theory (SDT). MethodThe study consisted of employees (N = 202, M age = 42.5) working with manual labor in an (Anonymized) transport and logistics company. A person-centered approach was applied in order to explore if there were different latent trajectories within the sample related to PA. The data was analyzed with latent class growth analysis (LCGA) and the modified BCH method. ResultsThe LCGA identified three PA trajectories: (1) employees high at baseline who declined significantly (n = 16), (2) employees who remained stable at a moderate level (n = 55), and (3) the majority of employees who reported low levels at baseline and increased significantly (n = 128). High levels of PA were associated with higher levels of perceived competence and autonomous forms of motivation for, which is in line with the tenets of SDT. Contrary to study hypothesis, controlled forms of motivation increased in all three trajectories after the intervention. ConclusionsDifferent trajectories of PA were found, and the intervention was able to attract employees with low levels of PA.
Highlights
Despite great media attention and increased public awareness, people struggle to be physically active at the level required to maintain their health and well-being, and reduce their risk of chronic diseases
The stepwise comparisons of the latent class growth analysis (LCGA) favored a solution with three classes (Table 1)
The four-class model contained a class with a sample size of 4.2%, which is less than the recommended level of 5% (Jung & Wickrama, 2008)
Summary
Despite great media attention and increased public awareness, people struggle to be physically active at the level required to maintain their health and well-being, and reduce their risk of chronic diseases. A national survey among (Anonymized nationality) adults revealed that only 35% reported being sufficiently physically active as recommended by the (Anonymized nationality) health authorities (150 min of moderate physical activity [PA], or 75 min of vigorous PA, per week; Hansen et al, 2015). Participating in a health promotion program can provide the necessary structure and support to initiate changes related to regular PA or objective measures of PA effects such as cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Program participation is typically limited in time, in non-treatment contexts. In order to produce changes in health and well-being of clinical relevance to the individual and to society in general, participants must be able to persist with lifestyle changes over a longer period of time – and on their own. It is of importance that they develop a sense of competence and an
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
