EXERCISE INTERVENTION WITH PHYSIOBIC IN ESPOO CITY,
FINLAND
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to arouse interest in physical activity
in Espoo City municipal employees, by arranging Physiobic
(exercise) training in the work place. A secondary aim was
to determine whether Physiobic training in the work place
could result in improved work ability and well-being of the
employees. Another aim was to form a base for physiotherapists
working in the field of occupational health.
Methods:
The study comprises 295 people from 22 different workplaces
in the City of Espoo. All participants were invited to interviews
to complete a general questionnaire as well as a specific
one about work ability and to perform walking tests for the
evaluation of their physical fitness. Questionnaires were
completed and tests performed on three occasions: January
and June 1995 and January 1996.
The study was performed with a control group of 115 people
and an intervention group of 180 people and the latter were
further invited to Physiobic training once a week during a
five month period (January to June 1995).
Results:
The overall results show that there were no remarkable changes
between the groups or within the groups at the three successive
tests. There was a significant correlation between the participants’
opinions of the state his health condition and his physical
fitness.
People who think that they exercise sufficiently are of the
opinion that they have better health and are more physically
fit than those who feel they do not exercise enough. The interest
in physical exercise increased in the intervention group.
There was a significant correlation between employee-management/supervisor
relations and the evaluation of the working atmosphere, a
correlation that was evident in both groups on all three occasions.
The duration of the intervention was not sufficient to lead
to significant changes in the work ability of participants.
Conclusions:
The drop out rate was high, probably due to a six weeks strike
in the public health sector during in the intervention and
due to the fact that the program required the presence of
participants at six occasions during one year.
Participants reacted adversely to the great number of tests.
The study has resulted in a knowledge base for physiotherapists
in occupational health who provide Physiobic training complete
with theoretical information.
The study has resulted in a guide "Fitness groups
- 10 hours of exercise for maintaining your work ability"**,
published in 1995 and aimed at providing guidelines for Physiobic
exercise in the work place.
Key words:
exercise, physical activity, intervention, work ability, work
well-being
Author: Marianne Kyrklund
* * Kirja:
Kukkonen Ritva – Kyrklund Marianne
” Ryhmässä kuntoon - 10 kertaa tyky-liikuntaa”
1995, Työterveyslaitos
ISBN 951-802-116-3
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