Promoting Physical Activity and Health in the Workplace: A Qualitative Study among University Workers, Spain.

The social changes we have been experiencing in recent years are generating anxiety that, together with sedentary lifestyles and poor health habits, are leading to premature ageing of society, in addition to the high rates of obesity and associated morbidity. In order to improve the lifestyles of the university community, the objective of this research project was the implementation of the UAL Activa programme based on physical activity. The beneficiaries were UAL staff from different sections, a total of 68 participants aged between 28 and 61 years (Mage = 49.36). Additionally, a total of 12 final year students of the degree in physical activity and sport sciences were responsible for designing and developing the exercise tasks. In-depth interviews were held with the participants of this project about the different benefits that their participation had brought them. The results obtained from the analysis with Nvivo v.10. showed five thematic blocks on the perceived improvements in physical fitness, physical condition, mood and emotional state, assessment of the new lifestyle, and social relations. In conclusion, the benefits of physical activity and the need to continue implementing action and intervention plans to encourage and promote its practice in all sectors of the population were highlighted.

Effects of a Physical Exercise Programme through Service-Learning Methodology on Physical Activity, Physical Fitness and Perception of Physical Fitness and Health in University Students from Spain: A Preliminary Study.

The practice of physical activity has been reported on countless occasions for the benefits it has on people's holistic health. However, today's society has high levels of inactivity and sedentary lifestyles, which highlights the importance of promoting active and healthy states in the population. As a mechanism to improve body composition, physical condition and perceived values of one's own physical condition and health status, the implementation of a strength training programme in the university community was proposed using a methodology based on Service-Learning. The participants were 12 students as coaches and 57 students from different university degrees as coachees (17 boys and 40 girls); the ages of the participants ranged from 18 to 33 years (M = 22.00; SD = 2.96). The variables of body composition, physical fitness, physical activity level and perception of fitness and health were assessed. Differences between pre- and post-intervention results were analysed using the Student's t-test and Wilcoxon test for ordinal self-perception variables. The results showed significant improvements in all the variables evaluated after the intervention. In conclusion, we would like to highlight the benefits of physical activity and the need to continue implementing action and intervention plans to encourage and promote its practice in all sectors of the population.

Effects of a Personalised Physical Exercise Program on University Workers Overall Well-Being: "UAL-Activa" Program.

Background and objectives: Regular individualised physical exercise (PE) is a habit that not only has consequences for overall health (physical, emotional, social and mental) but can also have positive effects on organisations and institutions, as it helps workers to improve their personal balance and recover from the effort of their working day, showing higher levels of energy, commitment and productivity. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between the practice of PE and well-being in personal life and at work, as well as job satisfaction, overall health and the assessment of the personal training service provided by final-year students studying for a degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. Methods: This study used a qualitative research methodology. There were 25 employees of the University of Almeria (UAL) (M = 52.16 ± 9.55 years), divided into two focus groups and participating in the physical exercise program "UAL Activa". Results: The following three main themes, based on the results, emerged: (a) social well-being during PE practice, (b) assessment of the personal training service and (c) physical exercise as an emotional benefit at work. Conclusion. The workers' interventions have shown that participating in a personalised PE program led by a personal trainer can improve overall health and mood, with a very positive influence on the working environment.