The International University Walking Project

Abstract

PURPOSE: Work day step counts and sitting times have been linked to a number of health-related risk factors. This study compared step counts and sitting times in samples of employees in three Universities in Australia, Spain and the UK. METHODS: Participants were 216 (41.0±10.3 years) academic and administrative staff. Prior to implementing a walking intervention, participants were asked to record their step counts (Yamax SW 200 pedometer) and sitting times (self-report) for 5 working days (Monday-Friday). Pedometer scores were compared against the public health criterion of 10 000 steps/day. A two-way (site x gender) ANO VA was used to identify significant differences between age, step counts and sitting times. RESULTS: Seventy five percent of Australian and UK employees, but only 53% of the Spanish workers did not achieve 10,000 steps a day. There were no age or gender differences in daily steps. Sitting times were significantly higher in the Australian than in the Spanish (difference of 2.06 hours per day) and UK (difference of 48 hours per day) employees (see Table 1).Table 1: Employee age, step scores and sitting times (mean±sd).CONCLUSIONS: Small sample sizes preclude generalisations. Findings do however suggest cultural variations, particularly in regard to the lower step counts and higher sitting times of the Australian university employees, who may therefore be at greater risk of chronic health problems as a result of their more sedentary workdays. Further >qualitative research will explore the nature of these variations.