Make the Move: Staying Physically Active at Work
Angela Torry
Lindsay Wright
What is Physical Activity?
• Physical activity is any body movement involving large muscle groups that uses energy
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Leisure
Exercise
Sport
Occupational For transportation
Chores, etc.
Physical Activity Evidence
• Physical inactivity is a common risk factor in a growing list of chronic diseases and conditions…
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Coronary heart disease
Type II diabetes
Breast & Colon cancer
Back pain
Hypertension
Obesity
Osteoporosis
Anxiety/stress
Depression
Health benefits of physical activity • Increased longevity
• Better quality of life
• More energy
• Weight management
• Improved mood
• Sleep better
• Diabetes management
• Lower the risk of many chronic disease • Better blood pressure
• Lower stress • Manage depression & anxiety
• Improved cholesterol & blood lipids
Physical Activity Evidence
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In Canada:
– Majority of the pop. is not active enough to see health benefits
– Economic burden of physical inactivity has been estimated at $5.3 billion
• Sedentary behaviour ( TV in particular), has been linked with:
– Low physical activity levels
– Increased body weight Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Institute
Physical Activity Evidence
• “Lack of time” is one of the most cited barrier to physical activity
• Other barriers often cited:
– Poor weather
– Low energy or no motivation
– No one to be active with
– Other priorities
Canada’s PA Guide
Physical Activity Basics...
Strength
Endurance
Flexibility
Intensity is the Key!
Why at Work?
• 15 million Canadians spend half of their waking hours at work (Public Health Agency of Canada)
• 45% of working Canadians feel that employer support with physical activity in the workplace would help them be more active
(Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute)
Why at Work?
Benefit the Individual
Benefit the Company
• Improved:
• Reduced:
– Health and well‐being
– Morale and team spirit – Job satisfaction
• Reduced – Stress and anxiety – Injuries –
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Absenteeism and turnover
Days off from illness
Workplace injuries Workers’ compensation costs Claims against group benefit plans • Improved productivity
Public Health Agency of Canada
Occupational Hazards
Work Type
Office Worker (sitting)
Standing Day (hairdresser)
On the Move (nurse/waiter)
Sunday (inactive)
Sick Day (at home)
Sightseeing (vacation)
Steps (per/day)
4000 ‐ 5000
5500 ‐ 6500
8000 ‐ 20000
2000 ‐ 3000
500
20000 +
Tudor‐Locke, The Art and Science of Step Counting, 2003.
The Steps:
1. Management buy‐in
2. Employee commitment
3. What’s possible
4. Finding out what employees want and need
5. Developing an action plan
Plotnikoff, R.C., Fein, A., Milton, L., Prodaniuk, T., & Mayes, V. (2003). Workplace physical activity framework. Edmonton, AB: Alberta Centre for Active Living.
Physical Activity @ Work
http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/workplace/index.html
Thinking Outside the Box
Using a different lens
What Shapes Physical Activity
Ecological Lens:
• Individual Level: What do employees know, believe and do? • Social Level: What’s the level of social support in your workplace?
• Organizational Level: How does your workplace support physical activity?
• Community Level: How does your workplace connect with the world outside?
• Policy Level: What policies make it easier to be physically active?
Knowledge
Uncomfortable
Don’t know where to start
Fitness
Motivation
Fear of injury
Skill
Energy
Life events
Health
Individual
Time
Body image
No enjoyment
Likes
dislikes
Mobility
Joint pain or soreness
Negative experiences
Working at Individual Level
Find ways to make it easier for employee to be active
• Variety of approaches offered.
• May have to consider employee’s situation. • Be aware of different interests and different beliefs regarding physical activity.
• Creating opportunities to gain and learn skills can help an employee gain confidence in an activity.
• Provide education and create awareness:
– about the benefits – about starting and staying active.
Ideas:
• Individual – Physical Activity Closet
– Skill/knowledge building classes
– Provide information through the company intranet, newsletters, notice boards, “lunch and learn” sessions or courses.
– Online Activity Trackers (Check out ours ☺ )
http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/workplace/trr/tools/trackerlogin.html
– Offer a physical activity program opportunity (provide access to qualified experts)
Lack of a partner
Social connections
Family Obligations
Ageism
Co‐worker support
Role Model
Social
Culturally acceptable
No support
Spouse
Friends
Stigmatism
Belonging
Co‐worker relationships
Community in workplace
Family
Management support
Working at Social Level
Finds ways to build a positive social environment that promotes physical activity and social connection.
• Keep communication channels open, and inform everyone about programs and progress.
• Create excitement and build enthusiasm (e.g.. launch).
• Ensure fair access to physical activity opportunities (e.g. design programs everyone can do, consider different work sites, ages, etc).
• Put a priority on rewarding participation or improvement in physical activity. • Share responsibility; both employees & managers contribute time & effort equally.
• Involve family & friends outside of work.
Ideas …..
• Start a swim club at a local pool. • Enter in corporate teams with local recreation leagues or events (consider involving family).
• Arrange a company [insert possible sport] tournament that lasts several months.
• Post and promote a sign‐up board for lunchtime walking groups. • Participate in workplace challenges (e.g. walking, stair climbing and pedometer challenges). Location
Multi‐site Workplace
Stairwells accessible
Workplace Champion
Hierarchy
Shift work
Management Support
Organization
Paid Time
Budget
Benefits
On site Facilities
Available Space
Tools and
Equipment
Diverse Employees
Working at the Organization Level
• Management support?
– Participation in activities and some level of planning
– Showing appreciation of employee leadership (formally or informally).
• Accommodating all employees
– Special needs considerations: satellite work sites, shift workers, part‐time workers, different departments.
– Adapt information and activities (physical disability, English as a second language).
• Improving the physical environment you have now
– Unique to each worksite
Ideas
• Offer facilities that invite on‐site physical activity. (Be creative)
• Invest in equipment (it can be simple)
• Provide incentives to reward staff participation .
• Plan a workplace health fair.
• Hire a certified fitness specialist to design and manage an on‐site fitness facility or program.
• Supply employees with active wear that shows off the company logo.
• Note: Incentives help to increase employee commitment
Ideas • Include Satellite Offices: – Recruit champions or key contacts to help make the initiative happen in outlying locations.
– Ensure fair communication.
– Be creative. Design challenges that highlight geographical or other features of the satellite offices.
– Identify and use local resources in each community has to support the programs or initiatives.
Events
Local Initiatives
Physical Activity Services
Side walks
Parks
Community
Municipality
Public Transit
Leagues and Clubs
Partnerships
Recreation facilities
Trails
Other businesses
Working at the Community Level
Tapping into the surrounding community • What facilities or services are nearby?
• Has your community initiated active living programs that will support your efforts?
• Are there local events or challenges your workplace can participate in?
• Are there volunteer opportunities (that are active) your workplace can take part in?
Ideas
• Partner with community facilities.
• Get involved in fun runs/walks, team sports, dragon boat racing and other opportunities for individual or group involvement.
• Post a map showing several walking routes.
• Participate in national campaigns such as Healthy Workplace Month, Commuter Challenge and ParticipACTION events.
• Subsidize employees’ enrolment in physical activity programs.
• Work with city planners to develop walking/bike paths around your workplace.
• Volunteer opportunities can also be “active” initiatives.
Active Commuting
Sustainability
Funding
Government
Management Support
Leadership
Budget Allocations
Regulations
Policy
Procedures
Subsidies
Planning
Who is responsible?
Benefits
Accountable
Working at the Policy Level
Commit to workplace physical activity in policy statements & commit funding to physical activity initiatives. • Examine current policies and procedures: – What supports physical activity? – What discourages it?
• Look to add policies for promotion and continued support: – Physical activity participation at work or outside of work
– Physical activity programs, events, initiatives
– Active commuting
Ideas
• Offer flex time.
• Include a physical activity account in your benefit plan. • Provide space for physical activity classes. • Protect lunch time and encourage “active breaks”: – Avoid scheduling meetings over lunch.
– Encourage active breaks instead of coffee breaks.
– Make birthday celebrations active times.
• Recognize participation and effort. • Recognize staff or volunteers who organize activities.
Ideas: Active Commuting
Supporting employees to adopt active transportation:
• Allow more flexible dress codes.
• Employee recognition programs. • Work with municipal planners to map out safe and efficient routes to work.
• Guarantee ride home.
What Shapes Physical Activity
Where can you start?
Successful workplace physical activity programs involve a combination of activities and opportunities that cross all ecological levels. •
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Awareness Activities
Educational Opportunities
Skill‐building Opportunities
Group/Social Activities
Supportive Work Environments
Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
•If you choose to have physical activity opportunities in your workplace, the instructor, leader, or certified professional may ask your employees to fill out the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR‐Q) prior to their participation. This is a form used prior to activity to see if you should check with your doctor before becoming more physically active.
•There will be a new PAR‐Q+ form launched in November 2010.
•The PAR‐Q forms can be accessed on www.csep.ca
What are other workplaces in Canada doing?
• Intuit Canada
• Canadian Case Studies Examples
– KineMedics
– City of Kamloops
• Healthy U Examples
– Alberta‐Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (Al‐Pac)
– Stantec
Everyone’s Job
“Employers and employees both share the burden of employee poor health/ illness through lost time at work and decreased productivity”.
• Partnership approach between employers and employees. • Explore multiple possibilities in creating work environments that encourage and enable physical activity.