Predictors of physical activity among employees in Tehran: a cross-sectional study based on the trans-theoretical model

Abstract

The present research aimed to explore the level of physical activity among the employees of Melli Bank in Tehran in the light of the trans-theoretical model in 2018. This cross-sectional study followed a multi-stratified sampling method and selected 612 employees from Melli Bank in Tehran. The data collection instrument was a tripartite questionnaire, the reliability and validity of which was statistically tested and confirmed within this research. SPSS16 was used to statistically analyze the data through independent-samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation coefficient and multiple regressions. The significance level was set at p < .05. In this study, 532 male and 78 female participants were included. Two hundred and ninety-five participants (48.4%) had inadequate physical activity. From among 610 employees, 111 were at the pre-contemplation stage, 164 in contemplation, 160 in preparation, 65 in action, and 110 in maintenance stage. The foremost predictor of performing physical activity was found to be self-efficacy (r = .682, p < .0001). As the results showed, self-efficacy played a major role in the rate of physical activity. To promote self-efficacy among employees, senior management of banks and related organizations such as physical education organization and universities need to support employees.