Effect of the Work Environment on Using Time at Work to Exercise

Abstract

Purpose. To determine whether workload, job satisfaction, and flexible schedules are predictive of using time at work to exercise. Design. The study design was the quantitative analysis of the time at work to exercise intervention of a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Setting. The study took place at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Subjects. Subjects comprised 188 full- and part-time faculty and staff (57% female). Intervention. Employees were randomized into different intervention groups, and analysis focused on employees who were provided 30 minutes of time at work to exercise. Measures. Time at work to exercise at was measured 9 months, and work environment characteristics were measured at baseline. Analysis. Logistic regression modeling using generalized estimating equation analysis was used to account for departmental clustering. Results. Time at work to exercise was used by 45% of participants. Participants who felt comfortable taking time off work to exercise were 2.8 times more likely to use time to exercise than those who did not feel comfortable taking time off (95% confidence interval: 1.3 to 6.1). Participants who reported too much work were .3 times less likely to exercise (95% confidence interval: 0.2 to 0.7). Job satisfaction and the ability to take time off for personal matters were not significantly associated with using time to exercise. Conclusion. The results support the hypothesis that individuals with a supportive work environment would be more likely to use time at work to exercise. Workload and having time during the day are more important than job satisfaction.