Improving marketability of exercise programs: implications for health promotion in the workplace

Musculoskeletal stress due to sedentary work has been a problem in workplaces. Exercise programs are available to help alleviate such stress; however, they have been adopted by few companies. The acceptability of these problems, that is their "marketability" will be enhanced if employee preferences regarding exercise in the workplace are taken into account during their design. A questionnaire was administered to employees engaged in sedentary work to determine employees' preferences about exercise programs in the workplace. Respondents preferred exercises that are targeted for specific body parts, have easy-to-follow instructions, are somewhat difficult but more beneficial, and can be completed in a private room. Marketability of exercise programs may be improved by focusing on these characteristics.