The New Context for the Promotion of Physical Activity –

Active Workplace

Jorma Savola, Secretary General Finnish Sport For All Association

XX TAFISA World CongressSeptember 25th-30th, 2007Argentina, Buenos Aires“ Sport for all: Meeting the Challengesof Building Social Capital”

Worksite Fitness Policy In an Intellecetual Capital

FrameworkPhD Ossi Aura

SFA in theSocial Context

”Company spirit”and

”employer-employee-partnership”

TAFISA in cooperation with- WHO (The Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health)and - EFCS (European Federation for Company Sports)

1st International TAFISA Workshop “Active Workplace” 20.-21. November, 2006Scandic Hotel SimonkenttäHelsinki, Finland

-to define a generally/globally accepted way to promote Physical Activity in the workplaces,- to hear specialist from different sectors of "worklife" like occupational health care experts, companies' HR (Human Resource) -professionals, etc- to discuss and benchmark good practices for Physical Activity Promotion in the companies.

Aims

1) Health benefits of Physical Activity

2) Best practices in worksite Physical Activity Promotion programs

3) Review of Worksite PA Promotion Programs

4) Workshop report

Resource papers and final output of the

Active Workplace workshop

Basics for the ”Active Workplace” -program(see the enclosure)

39% (1’269’000) of Finnsfulfil the recommendations of

Health-Enhancing Physical Activity

30% (1’005’000) of Finns almost fulfilthe recommendations of

Health-Enhancing Physical Activity

31% (1.021’000) of Finns are far fromthe recommendations of

Health-Enhancing Physical Activity

National survey research 2005-2006: physical activity among 19-65 –year

old Finns

Greenlight

Yellowlight

Redlight

Segments for Worksite Fitness Programs

when aimingActive Workplace

Passiive

16-24%

Active

lifestyle

36-39%

Physical

Activity for health

21-33%

Fitness-

sports

10-18%

Physical activityGeneral description

0,9 times a weekLight - moderate

1,6 sports

2,6 times a weekLight - moderate

2,2 sports

4,6 times a weekModerate 2,6 sports

5,1 times a weekVigorous 2,9 sports

The range of HEPA will consist of ”PhysicalActivity for health” and

”Fitness-sports” segments

Level of physical fitness

Poor Below average Average Good

Terminology and frameworksbehind concept

Active Workplace

Worksite Fitness Programs (WFP), Corporate Fitness Programs (CFP), Employee Fitness Programs, Company Sports, etc

Occupational Health, Workplace Health Promotion, Maintaining Work Ability, Corporation Wellness Programs, Human Resource management, Voluntarily organized activities by employees

Terminology

Frameworks

Theories and perspectives behind Active Workplace

Social Cognitive Therory

Behaviour Modification

Transtheoretical model

The effects of WFP

The effects of WFP on health and physical fitness

The effects of WFP on mental health

The economic (or financial) effects of WFP

The general effects of physical activity on work ability

1. There is in the company an Action Plan of Active Workplace, which is based on systematic analyse of needs,1.1. Targeting physically inactive employees1.2. Meeting those Finnish employers, who almost fulfil the recommendations of Health-Enhancing Physical Activity2. Organization2.1. The responsibility of Physical Activity Promotion in the company well organized and people in charge are defined,2.2. Operative persons are well educated and they have possibilities to use working hours to Physical Activity Promotion,3. Occupational health care is as a partner,4. There is in the company the advanced communication system5. Work transport; circumstancies to walk, jog, cycle etc. to and from work (dressing rooms, showers, drying facilities, shelters6. Circumstancies for sport at workplace; own facilities, equipments, recreation eq., eq. to borrow7. Physical activity services8. Supported sport for all campaigns, events, porting days,…10. Follow up studies; effects on Physical Activity of employees in the company

Active Workplace- elements in Finland -

Kehitys- keskus-telut

Org.taso

Active Workplace Active Workplace

SertificateSertificate

Physical Activity Physical Activity promotion as a part promotion as a part

of HR Mgtof HR Mgt

Investments on Investments on Physical ActivityPhysical Activity

ResultsResults

1. Clarification of 1. Clarification of need and targetsneed and targets

2. Get organized2. Get organized

3. Partners incl. 3. Partners incl. OHCOHC

4. Communication 4. Communication and IT-toolsand IT-tools

5. Circumstances5. Circumstances

6. Services incl. 6. Services incl. activation and new activation and new innovationsinnovations

7. Support incl. 7. Support incl. incentives, €incentives, €

8. Effects on activity 8. Effects on activity and staminaand stamina

9. Other results vs 9. Other results vs targetstargets