Background: As a health and wellbeing workplace initiative, and in keeping with the Healthy Ireland ‘National Physical Activity Plan’(Department of Health, 2013), a free, weekly lunchtime exercise class for all Hospital... [ view full abstract ]
Background:
As a health and wellbeing workplace initiative, and in keeping with the Healthy Ireland ‘National Physical Activity Plan’(Department of Health, 2013), a free, weekly lunchtime exercise class for all Hospital staff has been delivered by staff of the Physiotherapy Department in St. James’s Hospital since October 2015.
The class is held in the Physiotherapy Department every Wednesday from 12.45 to 13.15 with an average of 18 participants. The structure varies between circuit training, yoga and aerobic classes.
The NICE Guidelines on Physical Activity in the Workplace (2008) advocate that staff should play a central role in the planning and monitoring of these workplace wellness programmes. However, to date no formal feedback has been obtained from staff participating in this class.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to collect feedback from staff who participated in the lunchtime exercise class to inform its future development.
Methods:
Consenting staff who attended the class during April 2017 were invited to participate. A specifically developed 17 item questionnaire was designed by the author and completed by participants after the class. The questionnaire gathered data on participant demographics, reasons for regular attendance at the class, opinions on the current class format and interest in potential expansion. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel to obtain simple descriptive statistics.
Results:
21 participants completed the questionnaire during the study period. The median (range) age was 42 (23 – 64) years and 38% were male (n=8) Participants worked throughout 11 Hospital departments. The primary reasons for regular attendance at the class was lunchtime scheduling of the class (n=10) and the health benefits (n=7). The main themes identified to improve the class were related to the exercise prescription (suggesting increased use of resistance training during classes (n=8)) and environmental factors (such as enhanced air conditioning and use of a more spacious environment). A high percentage [86% (n=18)] of respondents reported that they would like an additional lunchtime exercise class.
Conclusion:
The study shows that the class is well received by Hospital staff from various disciplines and is applicable for all staff regardless of age. The questionnaire demonstrated the primary reason participants regularly attend the class was ease of access to the class as it was available during their lunch time. This study highlighted that in the future efforts should be made to incorporate more resistance training, use an air conditioned environment and start a second weekly class. Following this study these changes have since been successfully implemented.
References:
Department of Health (2013) ‘Healthy Ireland A framework for improved health and wellbeing 2013-2015’ accessed at http://getirelandactive.ie
National Institute of Clinical Excellence (2008)’Physical Activity in the Workplace, NICE Guideline (PH13)’ London: NICE
Ethical Approval:
Ethical approval was sought and granted from the St James’s Hospital Research and Innovation Hub.
