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Updated: May 9, 2025
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
A Qualitative Investigation Into the Exercise Habits, Motivators, and Barriers Faced by HealthCare Shift Workers
Cian Sweeney1, Liam Sweeney, Fran Pilkington-Cheney
1From the Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK (C.S., D.J.C., A.M.H., E.L.S.); Department of Sport Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maynooth University, Kildare, Ireland (L.S.); Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK (F.P.); Faculty of health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK (A.M.H.); and The School of Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK (A.M.H.).
Objective:
Many healthcare shift workers do not meet recommended physical activity guidelines. As a pillar of physical activity, this study explored exercise habits, motivators, and barriers encountered by healthcare shift workers.
Methods:
Twelve healthcare shift workers in the United Kingdom were interviewed via semi-structured, one-to-one interviews. Data was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results:
Healthcare shift workers experience multiple biopsychosocial barriers to exercise, including inconsistent working schedules, psychophysical fatigue, emotionally challenging shifts, and familial commitments. Exercise habits and motivators were highly individualized. Occupational promotion of exercise, including on-site exercise opportunities, education on exercise prescription, and financially incentivized exercise programs were enablers. Time management and planning were crucial for sustained exercise engagement.
Conclusions:
Organizations requiring shift work should promote a breadth of exercise types, and on-site exercise opportunities, at a low economic burden to promote physical activity engagement within their workforce.
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