Executive Summary

Pauline P. L. Poon, MA, Nancy Zuck, MSc, Ron Plotnikoff, PhD, & Tammy Horne, PhD.

Research has shown that those adults who are regularly physically active have better health than those who are not. There are many documented advantages to pursuing an active lifestyle, including psychological, social, emotional, cultural, and physical benefits. In 1998, the Alberta Active Living Task Force made 23 recommendations to reduce physical inactivity in workplaces, schools and communities. Recommendations to reduce physical inactivity in the workplace initiated this needs assessment of workplace Active Living in Alberta.

The purpose of this study was to learn how various types of large workplaces in Alberta viewed issues related to workplace Active Living. This study was guided by three questions:

1. How do “workplace wellness” practitioners understand Workplace Active Living?
2. What are the determinants of Active Living at work?
3. What are practitioners’ information and services needs?

This study includes a review of relevant literature on the physiological and economic benefits of fitness, exercise and Active Living in the workplace; factors which impact participation; and an overview of Health Canada’s Population Health Promotion Model as a template for developing effective workplace Active Living strategies.

Twenty-one organizations from Calgary, Edmonton and Fort McMurray were interviewed, representing different types of workplaces: provincial and municipal government departments and agencies, regional health authorities, school boards, universities and colleges, unions, and private industry (e.g. oil and gas, media and communications).

Data were analyzed qualitatively for broad themes related to definitions of Active Living; determinants of health and physical activity; barriers to and facilitators of physical activity; and resources needed by managers, staff or consultants responsible for physical activity in their workplace. The constant comparative method of analysis was used, where later categories were compared to earlier ones so that the themes were continually refined as analysis proceeded.

The results include participants’ definitions of Active Living, their understanding of health determinants and physical activity, and their views on the facilitators and barriers of incorporating Active Living into their workplaces.

Based of the findings of this study, it is recommended that

1. the definition of Active Living, initially proposed by Fitness Canada, requires clarification;
2. information be provided to workplaces on the relationship between Active Living and determinants of health;
3. there be support for developing solutions to facility needs of employees;
4. current research-based information be accessible to employers on the health and economic benefits of workplace Active Living;
5. information be provided to employers regarding the importance of senior level support in successfully implementing Active Living programs;
6. current research-based information be accessible to personnel responsible for employee health; and
7. information on Active Living in the workplace be available in a variety of brief and practical formats, such as print, electronic and interactive modes.

To download the full report, click here 2000 Workplace Active Living: A Needs Assessment Report.