Author : Kristine Stouffer
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (77 download)
Book Synopsis Exercise Adherence in Employee Exercise Programs by : Kristine Stouffer
Download or read book Exercise Adherence in Employee Exercise Programs written by Kristine Stouffer and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine if a behavioral health education intervention would increase exercise self-efficacy thereby increasing exercise adherence among elementary school employees. In addition, social support observations were made to determine what types of social support existed for the treatment intervention groups. The design of this study was a quasi-experimental matched-pair design using four elementary school worksites (three treatment schools and one control school). The treatment intervention consisted of health promotion consultants using self-efficacy techniques through a "Personal Exercise Plan" or "PEP" during monthly onsite participant sessions. Self-efficacy and social support were assessed using the Causal Dimension Scale II and Social Support for Exercise Habits Scale, respectively. Exercise adherence was assessed by use of self-reported exercise logs used to track adherence to a cardiovascular exercise program of at least three 20-minute sessions per week of aerobic activity. Exercise-related outcomes measures (taken during onsite pre and post program fitness assessments) included resting heart rate, blood pressure, body composition percentage, and estimated VO subscript 2max. The study sample included 45 treatment and 15 control group participants comprising 88% females; 77% Caucasians and 18% African Americans; 88% between the ages of 31 and 60 years of age; and 75% teachers and 25% office and custodial employees. Additionally, 93% of the control group and 60% of the treatment group were exercising before the start of the program. The health education intervention increased self-efficacy in the intervention group at midpoint, but decreased somewhat at program end. Coworker support seemed to be the greatest form of social support for the intervention group throughout the program. The intervention groups did not have greater adherence than the control group in terms of frequency and duration of cardiovascular exercise, however more participants in the treatment group were exercising at the program goal compared with control participants. The intervention group increased significantly in resting heart rate and diastolic blood pressure compared with the control group, however, both treatment and control groups failed to significantly improve in weight or body composition but did improve in systolic blood pressure.