“March Into May”: Worksite Physical Activity Program

Abstract

In 1996, the U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health stated that physical inactivity is a serious national health problem. Each year up to 250,000 American deaths are attributed to a lack of regular physical activity. Studies have shown that inactive people generate about 8 percent higher health claim costs than active people. Using the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Physical Activity Challenge as a model, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) organized a worksite physical activity program: “March Into May.” Its primary goal was to promote regular, moderate physical activity through a planned 10-week program. Participant motivation relied on a team incentive, as well as on a personal-based behavioral contract. Participants set personal goals for regular activity, ranging from moderate activities like yard work to more intense ones like running and swimming. Using a simple self-reporting point system, they recorded daily physical activity in 10-minute blocks of time with the goal to be active at least 30 minutes most days (Surgeon General's recommendation). Incentives, prizes and awards were given at various intervals throughout the 10-week program. Teams were created within work units to encourage in-house competition and awards. The event was promoted via E-mail, flyers and weekly fitness activities. A database utilizing a spreadsheet format was created to record goals, points achieved, percent goals achieved and stage of change information obtained from pre- and post-survey forms. Nonparticipants also were invited to complete a survey form to collect stage of change data. The program and data collected were part of a national pilot campaign to help Americans increase their physical activity level and move toward the Healthy People 2010 physical activity goals. IDPH plans to expand the program next year to include both physical activity and Five-a- Day goals and stage of change data.