BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with a reduced risk for chronic health conditions and improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Efforts to increase PA have included workplace health promotion. Currently, little is known about the effect of these programs on overall HRQoL. AIM: To evaluate whether participation in a pedometer-based PA program in the workplace was associated with changes in HRQoL. METHODS: 487 voluntary employees enrolled in a health program completed the SF-12 Health Survey at baseline and 4 months. Change in Physical and Mental component summary scores (PCS; MCS) was assessed with multivariable regression analysis, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Participation in the program was associated with an increase of 1.5 MCS units (95% CI: 0.76, -2.09). Greater improvements in MCS were observed in those reporting an increased level of PA during the program [1.9 (CI: 0.78, 2.92) versus 0.9 (CI: -0.12, 2.03)] and a lower baseline MCS score [6.3 (CI: 4.80, 7.62) versus -1.5 (CI: -2.21, -0.80)]. No change in PCS was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in this workplace PA program was associated with improvements in the mental component of HRQoL. We recommend the use of a broad perspective of health be used in both the implementation and evaluation of workplace PA programs.
BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with a reduced risk for chronic health conditions and improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Efforts to increase PA have included workplace health promotion. Currently, little is known about the effect of these programs on overall HRQoL. AIM: To evaluate whether participation in a pedometer-based PA program in the workplace was associated with changes in HRQoL. METHODS: 487 voluntary employees enrolled in a health program completed the SF-12 Health Survey at baseline and 4 months. Change in Physical and Mental component summary scores (PCS; MCS) was assessed with multivariable regression analysis, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Participation in the program was associated with an increase of 1.5 MCS units (95% CI: 0.76, -2.09). Greater improvements in MCS were observed in those reporting an increased level of PA during the program [1.9 (CI: 0.78, 2.92) versus 0.9 (CI: -0.12, 2.03)] and a lower baseline MCS score [6.3 (CI: 4.80, 7.62) versus -1.5 (CI: -2.21, -0.80)]. No change in PCS was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in this workplace PA program was associated with improvements in the mental component of HRQoL. We recommend the use of a broad perspective of health be used in both the implementation and evaluation of workplace PA programs.
Authors: Suliman Mansi; Stephan Milosavljevic; Steve Tumilty; Paul Hendrick; Chris Higgs; David G Baxter Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2015-04-22 Impact factor: 3.295