# Promotion of physical activity-related health competence using digital workplace-based health promotion: a pilot study for office workers

## TL;DR

A digital health program helped office workers improve their physical activity-related health skills, but did not significantly increase their actual physical activity levels.

## Contribution

This pilot study shows that digital interventions can enhance physical activity-related health competence in office workers.

## Key findings

- PAHCO, especially control competence, significantly increased after the intervention and at follow-up.
- The other sub-competences of PAHCO improved but not significantly.
- HEPA levels decreased slightly but not significantly after the intervention.

## Abstract

Engaging in health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases, which is particularly important for office workers with sedentary lifestyles. Therefore, time- and location-independent interventions for increasing HEPA are necessary.

To achieve long-term changes in HEPA, interventions can be based on physical activity-related health competence (PAHCO). 48 office workers (83% female, 50 ± 8 years) completed an intervention consisting of bi-weekly exercise videos for 5 weeks, supplemented by PAHCO and anatomical education. The participants’ HEPA levels were measured using the Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sport Questionnaire (Bewegungs- und Sportaktivität Fragebogen; BSA-F)and a physical activity diary, with follow-up measurements at 3 months.

There was a significant increase in PAHCO (p = 0.002), especially in control competence (p < 0.001), after the intervention and at follow-up. The other sub-competences also increased, but not significantly. HEPA decreased after the intervention and at follow-up, but the decrease was not statistically significant.

PAHCO increases after the end of the intervention, especially through the sub-competence of control competence. The other two sub-competences also improved, but not significantly. Participating in the study had no impact on HEPA as an outcome of the PAHCO model. Our study provides preliminary evidence that PAHCO can be enhanced through digital, time- and location-independent interventions. Future research should utilize a randomized controlled design to be able to causally attribute the effects of PA interventions in office workers to the intervention and objective measurements for HEPA should be employed.