Factors associated with male workers' participation in regular physical activity

This study was conducted to clarify the factors associated with workers' regular physical activity in a Japanese company. The subjects were 515 male employees who responded to a questionnaire given to all male workers (n = 761) in a manufacturing company in central Japan. The effective response rate was 67.6%. According to multiple linear regression analysis using the stepwise method as the model-selection method, significant factors associated with workers' regular physical activity were self efficacy, current membership in a sports club, colleague support, perceived barriers to exercise, perceived benefits of exercise, and leisure time. Intervention to increase self efficacy for exercise and to diminish perceived barriers to exercising, together with social support, were thought to be a good potential strategy for increasing the proportion of workers participating in regular physical activity. Intervention programs to increase self efficacy should therefore be developed.