Using Focus Groups and Interviews to Inform the Design of a Workplace Exercise Programme: An Example From a...

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Exercise science
• Behavioral science

Background:

• Workplace exercise interventions are crucial for employee well-being.
• High-intensity interval training (HIIT) offers time-efficient fitness solutions.
• Formative evaluation is key to tailoring interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore employee and management perspectives on workplace HIIT.
• To use qualitative data to inform the design of a HIIT intervention.
• To develop a framework for stakeholder-informed workplace wellness programs.

Main Methods:

• Conducted eight focus groups and four interviews with 38 employees and 4 management representatives.
• Gathered data prior to intervention implementation in six office-based organizations.
• Employed qualitative methods to understand perceptions of workplace HIIT.

Main Results:

• Participants viewed HIIT as practical due to short duration but raised concerns about intensity acceptability.
• Barriers like workload and family commitments were identified.
• Facilitators included flexible working conditions, leading to a preference for short-term, group-based interventions with varied exercise options.

Conclusions:

• Stakeholder perspectives are vital for designing effective workplace exercise interventions.
• A flexible, group-based HIIT approach incorporating employee preferences can enhance participation.
• The study offers a replicable framework for developing tailored workplace wellness initiatives.