Effect of a Worksite Walking Competition on Health-Related Quality of Life Among University Employees

Abstract

Worksite health promotion programs (WHPPs) aim to improve the health and wellness of employees in an effort to improve health related quality of life (HRQOL). The effect of exercise on improving HRQOL is well documented among clinical populations. However, few studies have examined the effect of WHPPs on HRQOL. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a six-week "Workplace Walk-Off Competition" (WWC) on HRQOL among university employees. One hundred and nine university employees were included in this study (WWC group: n=47, Control group: n=62). All study participants completed the Short Form 12 Question, Version 2 (SF-12v2), a HRQOL questionnaire, before and after the WWC. The SF-12v2 questionnaire determines HRQOL based on two components and reports scores for a physical component summary (PCS) score and a mental component summary (MCS) score. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed on PCS and MCS scores, followed by dependent t-tests for each group. There was no significant difference in PCS or MCS scores between the groups. Further, there were no statistically significant changes in PCS or MCS scores (p>.05) among either group, following the six-week WWC. Although much research deems WHPPs effective for improving many health indicators, this short-term program was not effective in improving PCS and MCS components of HRQOL.

Positive Impacts of a University Walking Program: A Case Study

“…Each year, the faculty lead conducts a research project that overlaps the WWC. Previous results from studies stemming from the WWC include increased physical activity among WWC participants, reduced perceived stress among female WWC participants compared to those who do not participate [2], and a trend towards a higher self-rated health-related quality of life for those who participate [14].…”

“…Programs should also have an impact on the markers of chronic disease and improve health outcomes, which this program has demonstrated [2,14]. Another unique finding was that many participants stated that they volunteered for research projects because it gave them more information about their own health, for free, at a convenient location.…”