"Workplace Physical Activity Program" (WOPAP) study protocol: a four-arm randomized controlled trial on preventing...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health Psychology
• Workplace Interventions
• Employee Well-being

Background:

• Workplace physical activity interventions aim to reduce burnout and improve employee vigor.
• The WOPAP intervention uses Nordic walking to enhance work-related outcomes.
• Investigating instructor style (traditional vs. need-supportive) and psychological/physiological mechanisms is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a 10-week workplace physical activity intervention (WOPAP) on employee well-being.
• To compare Nordic walking against a Theatre condition and a waiting list control.
• To examine the impact of instructor's style on intervention outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial with 140 university employees.
• Four groups: Physical Activity Traditional Style, Physical Activity Need-Supportive Style, Theatre, and Waiting List Control.
• 10-week intervention with a 6-month follow-up, assessing burnout, vigor, and psychological/physiological mediators.

Main Results:

• Primary outcomes include burnout and vigor; secondary outcomes cover work motivation, job satisfaction, performance, and ability.
• Weekly assessments of burnout, vigor, and needs satisfaction during the intervention.
• Data collected pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 3 and 6 months follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Effective workplace physical activity interventions, particularly those with a need-supportive climate, can significantly improve employee well-being.
• Findings can inform the design of future research and the implementation of efficient workplace programs.