Physical activity interventions in the workplace: implementation, evaluation and challenges

Due to a variety of factors, it is notoriously difficult to implement effective physical activity interventions in the workplace.The aim of the proposed symposium is to highlight relevant issues and challenges associated with implementing rather novel workplace physical activity intervention designed to increase physical activity participation and psychological well-being among sedentary employees.The studies presented will have used a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods to a) highlight issues of implementation and feasibility, b) evaluate the effectiveness of a specific intervention, c) examine potential mechanisms underlying physical activity adoption and adherence and d) discuss pertinent challenges in changing physical activity behaviour in the workplace. The first paper discusses components of, and challenges associated with, the design and implementation of a 16-week lunchtime walking interventions with sedentary employees. The second presentation provides a summary of the evaluation of the above mentioned intervention using quantitative methods.The third presentation uses a qualitative approach to tap into potential mechanisms underpinning physical activity behaviour change in sedentary employees. Using examples from international research, the final presentation considers how aspects of work culture can act as both a promoter and inhibitor of physical activity engagement in the workplace.This series of studies show that the workplace is a viable, but also very challenging, setting for promoting physical activity among a large segment of the adult working population.