Safi, A., Cole. M., Kelly. A. and Walker. N. 2021. An Evaluation of Physical Activity Levels amongst University Employees. Advances in Physical Education. 11 (2), pp. 158-171. https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2021.112012
| Title | An Evaluation of Physical Activity Levels amongst University Employees |
|---|---|
| Type | Journal article |
| Authors | Safi, A., Cole. M., Kelly. A. and Walker. N. |
| Abstract | Approximately 60% of the world’s population do not meet the physical activity (PA) guidelines. Physical inactivity is increasing in occupations, with work-related health issues becoming more prevalent. University employees’ work in a range of job roles and PA levels in this population is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate PA levels amongst university employees in a UK Higher Education institution. Four hundred employees (male = 131, female = 269) partook in this quantitative study and completed an online International Physical Activity Questionnaire Long Form (IPAQ-LF) to assess total moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and work-related MVPA. A Mann-Whitney U test examined differences in total MVPA and work-related MVPA between genders and a Kruskal-Wallis H test examined differences in total MVPA and work related MVPA between job roles. The findings showed that university employees engaged in a median of 330 minutes and 1770 METs of MVPA across all domains of IPAQ-LF. Further, the median time spent in total work PA was 30 minutes and 123 METs. There was a significant difference between genders, as males engaged in 150 minutes more total MVPA compared to females (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in total MVPA and work-related MVPA across job roles (p > 0.05). Findings suggest that job role does not affect PA levels within university workplace, although they do propose that males engage in more MVPA compared to females. As a result of the subjective nature of this research, objective research is required to confirm current findings. |
| Keywords | Employees Physical Activity Levels |
| Workplace Health and Well-Being | |
| Sedentary Behaviour | |
| Journal | Advances in Physical Education |
| Journal citation | 11 (2), pp. 158-171 |
| ISSN | 2164-0408 |
| 2164-0386 | |
| Year | 2021 |
| Publisher | Scientific Research |
| Publisher's version | License CC BY 4.0 File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2021.112012 |
| Web address (URL) | https://www.scirp.org/html/2-1600601_107995.htm |
| Publication dates | |
| Published | 26 Mar 2021 |