A work-based walking program for older women

Abstract

With the aging workforce, the workplace is a unique environment to implement a physical activity (PA) program for older adults. PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of a work-based internet-delivered PA program on older female elementary school teachers. METHODS: A 25-week PA program was delivered via a secure web site. The site consisted of six elements: education, PA tracking logs and graphs, individualized PA goals, team standings, progression along a US trail, and discussion board. Employees logged onto the site daily, recorded steps and non-walking (i.e. swimming) PA. Non-walking PA was converted to steps and combined with daily steps. Participants wore a pedometer daily and entered steps and other activity on the program website. Body Mass Index (BMI), percent body fat (BF), blood pressure (BP) and resting heart rate (HR) were also collected. RESULTS: 22 women [11 intervention (53.7 yrs.) and 11 control (54.1 yrs.)] participated. The average number of steps among intervention participants increased. There was a significant change in both measures of body composition. BMI and BF decreased slightly. There was no difference in BP or HR. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate a work-based PA program can be a useful tool to improve the activity level and body composition of older women.