Mapping Contextual Factors Influencing Physical Activity Behavior of People with a Physical Demanding Job

Julia Beckmann, Pieter Coenen, Erwin Speklé, Jos J. Kraal

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

People with a physically demanding job have an unhealthy disbalance in occupational and leisure-time physical activity (PA). We aimed to understand which contextual factors influence this disbalance, and explore opportunities for lifestyle interventions that could restore this disbalance. We applied a contextmapping study with six production workers from a Dutch coating department. Participants filled in a sensitizing booklet with PA-related activities, and were interviewed afterwards. Participants reported reasons for (not) being active in leisure-time using an experience sampling method. Our results indicate that main reasons for being inactive during leisure time were their believes that occupational PA is enough for a healthy lifestyle, and the need to rest after work. Results show that lifestyle interventions should tackle workers inadequate risk perception and over-exhaustion to empower them to shift their PA behavior in a healthier direction. This indicates the need for a holistic approach targeting both home and working environments.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSpringer Series in Design and Innovation
PublisherSpringer Nature
Pages149-160
Number of pages12
Volume30
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Publication series

NameSpringer Series in Design and Innovation
Volume30

Keywords

  • Holistic approach
  • Life-long health
  • Lifestyle intervention
  • Occupational health
  • Physical activity paradox
  • Prevention

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