Exercise Preferences for a Workplace Wellness Program to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk and Increase Work Productivity
Nicholas J SantaBarbara1, Roxana Rezai, Samantha Soetenga
1From the School of Health Sciences, Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts (Dr SantaBarbara); Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences (Ms Rezai, Dr Comulada), Department of Recreation (Ms Soetenga, Ms Terry), and Department of Epidemiology (Dr Carpenter), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
Objective:
Workplace wellness programs can reduce cardiovascular risk and improve worker productivity; however, recruitment and adherence remain a challenge. Tailoring programs based on employee exercise preferences may address these concerns.
Methods:
A total of 458 UCLA adult employees who responded to UCLA Bruin marketing e-mail completed a battery of questions regarding their exercise preferences (eg, preferred duration, intensity, type). Recruitment took place in June 2021.
Results:
Participants prefer workplace wellness programs that (1) focus on improving multiple different aspects of physical health; (2) take place in a variety of locations; (3) were administered by a coach who is physically present; (4) occur 2-3 times per week for roughly 60 minutes each time; (5) include a range of intensities; and (6) consist of aerobic and weight training.
Conclusions:
Future studies should use these results to design future workplace wellness programs.
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