Abstract
Objective: We evaluated the usefulness of a newly-developed workplace walking program that encourages increased walking behavior by sending newsletters via e-mail.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, study participants were recruited from 210 employees of Company A in K prefecture. Thirty-five participants enrolled in one of two 4-month walking programs and completed questionnaires. Based on the lifestyle settings of the workers who walked for health benefits, this program delivered newsletters via work emails or personal cell phone text messages. These newsletters informed participants about walking strategies in the workplace and were delivered once a week throughout the four-month walking program. Usefulness of the program was evaluated qualitatively based on the survey responses of the 20 respondents who participated in the first walking program. Walking times and behaviors of the participants were assessed before and after participation in the 4-month walking programs.
Results: Increases in time spent walking were significantly greater among participants in the experimental group than among those in the control group (mean inter-group difference in walking time change: 60 min/week, [p = 0.02]). The experimental group saw significant increases in times spent walking in the workplace after participating in the walking program (pre-post mean difference in walking time change: 50 long/min/week, [p = 0.02]).
Conclusion: A workplace walking program delivered via email and text messaging promotes improved walking behavior among workers.
