Effects of a Worksite Group Intervention to Promote Physical Activity and Health: The Role of Psychological Coaching

Abstract

Background: This study investigates whether a worksite physical activity (PA) promotion program consisting of both a "practical" PA component and a "theoretical" (psychological) coaching component (PA+C) is more effective than the same "practical" PA component alone.

Methods: N = 213 employees were assigned to two groups by cluster-randomisation: one group received the "MoVo-work" program including a PA component and a coaching component (PA+C group). The other group received only the PA component (PA group). Assessment of PA and health was conducted at five time points.

Results: Six weeks after program completion the percentage of physically active participants was significantly higher in the PA+C group compared to the PA group (68% vs. 45%; p = .01). At 12-month follow-up, the PA+C group showed a higher percentage of physically active participants and a better health status than the PA group on the descriptive level, but these differences did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions: Results suggest that a PA promotion program including a psychological coaching component is more effective in evoking behavior change than a practical PA program alone. However, booster interventions are required to maintain the additional effects.

Keywords: health status; intervention program; physical exercise; psychological coaching; workplace.