The analysis of a corporate The analysis of a corporate physical activity intervention:physical activity intervention:A group-mediated cognitive-behavioral A group-mediated cognitive-behavioral

case study.case study.

Lynn Kabaroff, MHKLynn Kabaroff, MHKLaurentian UniversityLaurentian University

Mark Eys, Ph.D.Mark Eys, Ph.D.Wilfrid Laurier UniversityWilfrid Laurier University

Physical Activity, Workplace Wellness Physical Activity, Workplace Wellness and the Corporate Environmentand the Corporate Environment

• There are physical and psychological benefits of PA There are physical and psychological benefits of PA (The (The

Public Health Agency of Canada, 2007)Public Health Agency of Canada, 2007), , however the Canadian however the Canadian population is not active enough to realize these benefits population is not active enough to realize these benefits (Godin et al.,1983; Statistics Canada, 2006)(Godin et al.,1983; Statistics Canada, 2006)

• Economic impact of inactivity on the Canadian economy Economic impact of inactivity on the Canadian economy was estimated at $5.3 billion, or 2.6% of the 2001 total was estimated at $5.3 billion, or 2.6% of the 2001 total health care costs health care costs (Statistics Canada, 2007)(Statistics Canada, 2007)

• Wellness programs have positive effects for both Wellness programs have positive effects for both employees’ physical/ mental health and work performance employees’ physical/ mental health and work performance (Voit, 2000), (Voit, 2000), and monetary savings for the corporation and monetary savings for the corporation (Public (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2004)Health Agency of Canada, 2004)

The Group-Mediated, Cognitive The Group-Mediated, Cognitive Behavioral (GMCB) ApproachBehavioral (GMCB) Approach

• Based on group dynamics principles to Based on group dynamics principles to “develop group “develop group formation and identity, create the group’s common formation and identity, create the group’s common motivational base, and establish exercise and motivational base, and establish exercise and adherence expectancies that [are] of consequence to adherence expectancies that [are] of consequence to the group”the group”(Brawley, Rejeski & Lutes, 2000)(Brawley, Rejeski & Lutes, 2000)

• 12-week program including discussion and PA12-week program including discussion and PA

• Previously successful with:Previously successful with:

- asymptomatic older adults - asymptomatic older adults (Brawley et al., 2000)(Brawley et al., 2000)

- symptomatic older adults - symptomatic older adults ((Brawley, Rejeski, & King, 2003; Focht Brawley, Rejeski, & King, 2003; Focht et al., 2004; Rejeski et al., 2002; Rejeski et al., 2003) et al., 2004; Rejeski et al., 2002; Rejeski et al., 2003)

- post-natal mothers - post-natal mothers (Cramp & Brawley, 2006)(Cramp & Brawley, 2006)

GMCB OutlineGMCB Outline1.1. Promotion and Promotion and

development of group development of group identityidentity

2.2. Self-monitoring and the Self-monitoring and the buddy systembuddy system

3.3. Individual and group goal Individual and group goal setting, dealing with setting, dealing with failure failure

4.4. The ‘independent The ‘independent exerciser’, stages of exerciser’, stages of change concept, barriers change concept, barriers and strategiesand strategies

5.5. Increasing active time by Increasing active time by breaking up sedentary breaking up sedentary time time

6.6. Replacing sedentary Replacing sedentary behaviours with active behaviours with active living living

7.7. Recognition of ‘active’ Recognition of ‘active’ peoplepeople

8.8. Encouragement of more Encouragement of more systematic independent systematic independent self-monitoring and goal self-monitoring and goal setting behavioursetting behaviour

9.9. Environmental cuesEnvironmental cues

10.10. Self-planned activities Self-planned activities and coping strategiesand coping strategies

11.11. Relapse prevention and Relapse prevention and coping mechanismscoping mechanisms

12.12. Results of the group Results of the group goals and individual goals and individual goals for the next monthgoals for the next month

13.13. Booster sessions as Booster sessions as neededneeded

PurposePurpose

• To qualitatively assess the To qualitatively assess the response to and response to and effectiveness ofeffectiveness of the GMCB program within a the GMCB program within a corporate setting as communicated corporate setting as communicated by the by the participantsparticipants

• Targeted sample of 20 “white collar” participants (male = 17, female = 3) from two departments within a corporate office in Northern Ontario

Mixed Methods Data CollectionMixed Methods Data Collection

QuantitativeQuantitative

• Significant reductions in aSignificant reductions in anthropometric nthropometric measuresmeasures

– Body Fat % - Body Fat % - ffrom 21.32% to 18.50%rom 21.32% to 18.50%

– Body Mass Index - Body Mass Index - from 27.23 mfrom 27.23 m22/kg to 26.60 m/kg to 26.60 m22/kg/kg

– Waist Girth - Waist Girth - from 38.00 inches to 36.93 inchesfrom 38.00 inches to 36.93 inches

• Weekly Fitness Log BooksWeekly Fitness Log Books– Increase in average frequency of PA from approx. 3 Increase in average frequency of PA from approx. 3

days per week to 4 days per weekdays per week to 4 days per week

Mixed Methods Data CollectionMixed Methods Data Collection

QualitativeQualitative::• Focus Group InterviewsFocus Group Interviews

– Semi-structured interviews were all recorded and Semi-structured interviews were all recorded and transcribed verbatimtranscribed verbatim

– Reviewed and categorized separately by two researchers Reviewed and categorized separately by two researchers and any discrepancies solved by consensusand any discrepancies solved by consensus

– Five key questions were focused onFive key questions were focused on• E.g., “What E.g., “What did you think about the corporate involvement in this did you think about the corporate involvement in this

program? What changes, if any, would you like to see?”program? What changes, if any, would you like to see?”• E.g., “E.g., “Think back again to your experiences and participation Think back again to your experiences and participation

within the program and tell me some of the things that you felt within the program and tell me some of the things that you felt helped you with your own physical activity goals. What did you helped you with your own physical activity goals. What did you feel were the strengths of the program?”feel were the strengths of the program?”

– Identified themes and categories were brought back to Identified themes and categories were brought back to the group for validation purposesthe group for validation purposes

Focus Group TranscriptionsFocus Group Transcriptions

Discussion/Future DirectionsDiscussion/Future Directions

Positive support for corporate GMCB programPositive support for corporate GMCB program•Feedback from focus groups, group walk participationFeedback from focus groups, group walk participation

Vocational team building Vocational team building •Magnitude and impact on performance goalsMagnitude and impact on performance goals•Improved lifestyle changes through mandatory staff Improved lifestyle changes through mandatory staff meetingsmeetings

ConclusionConclusion• The GMCB program can be successful at encouraging The GMCB program can be successful at encouraging

PA and addressing health indicators within a PA and addressing health indicators within a corporate environment and adds support to the corporate environment and adds support to the existing GMCB literatureexisting GMCB literature

• Could be used to address other health and wellness Could be used to address other health and wellness issues and has the potential to aid in team building issues and has the potential to aid in team building within the workplacewithin the workplace

• However, to have significant lasting positive results, However, to have significant lasting positive results, appropriate corporate support is key and some appropriate corporate support is key and some program modifications (e.g., longer time period) may program modifications (e.g., longer time period) may be required to enable individuals to become self-be required to enable individuals to become self-sufficient (i.e., self-regulating) exerciserssufficient (i.e., self-regulating) exercisers

Questions?Questions?

Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention