A systematic literature review of workplace physical activity programs: an exploration of barriers and enabling factors

Abstract

Physical inactivity continues to be a global issue with many adolescents and adults failing to meet the recommendations for daily exercise. Efforts to reduce physical inactivity in adults include the incorporation of strategies such as workplace physical activity programs, especially for sedentary workers. In this systematic literature review we examined current literature about the efficacy of workplace physical activity programs, as well as the barriers and enablers to these programs. Six EBSCO databases were searched (Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, APA PsycArticles and SPORTDiscus with full text) between a ten year period (2011 to 2021). The search terms used were “physical activity”, “workplace” and “program” along with their variations. Following a systematic process, eighteen papers met the eligibility criteria. The authors analysed the findings using a narrative synthesis, in which four themes emerged from the data. These include Benefits to physical health, Benefits to mental health, Barriers to workplace physical activity and Workplace activity enablers. These findings provided several recommendations for organizations that endeavour to improve the health of workplace employees. Generalised workplace physical activity programs were viewed favourably by both employees and employers. Incorporating these practices into daily work structures may provide favourable outcomes such as increased work productivity and reduced physical inactivity.

Keywords:

• Workplace
• physical activity
• exercise
• barriers
• benefits
• enablers
• wellbeing

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the team members and support from the Latrobe Health Assembly, as part of the Make Your Move Latrobe project. The authors would also like to acknowledge the contributions of Ms. Rachel Ronaldson from GippSport.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data Availability Statement

The data for this review is available upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This review forms part of a large body of work for Latrobe Healthy Assembly. The funding received for the entire project was $37,500.