The Use of Technology as a Motivation Tool for Employee Wellness A Program Evaluation
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
Purpose:It is evident that despite the abundant amenities, the company remains a high stress and sedentary environment and the health and wellness is at stake. Determining what motivates individuals to adhere and encourages them to participate in programs can help the health professionals promote physical activity in individuals. Activity trackers are can detect walking, jogging or running activities that encourage arm movements. The new technological innovations are tailored to appeal to all populations, especially individuals constantly on the go. With technology making an impact in the world of physical activity, it is creating a completely new component to motivating individuals to exercise. Fitness trackers are the new modern day exercise coach where individuals have access to an abundant amount of material that can encourage and adhere to physical activity. Once individuals are encouraged to exercise, adherence to the routine becomes a major roadblock for them (Huberty, Ransdell, Sidman, Flohr, Shultz, Grosshans & Durrant, 2008). Fitness trackers are thought to ignite an individual's motivation and aid to increase the chances of adherence. Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of fitness trackers on program retention and adherence. Furthermore, the program wanted to assess the effectiveness of fitness trackers in the workplace for increasing physical activity and improving an individual’s motivation to be physically active compared to non-fitness tracking users. Methods: The pretest survey provided baseline information for program assessment, while post-test survey provided a measurement for comparison over time. Over 4,000 individuals are a part of the onsite fitness facility. Each of these employees were notified about the program and were provided with the information to partake in the program. Eighty-five employees participated in the program. Out of the eighty-five employees who completed the pretest, seventy-five completed the posttest survey, and five individuals were a part of the informal discussion. Individuals of all levels of physical activity were encouraged to participate in the program. Furthermore, allowing individuals to use applications such as MapMyRun, Myfitnesspal, a pedometer or any other fitness tracking devices or non-devices allowed for more of a comprehensive program and encouraged all individuals to participate. The focus of the challenge was to log their steps over a two-month period. The goal of the challenge was simply to log as many steps of physical activity as possible over the duration of the program regardless of the intensity level. Results: Seventy participants in the program used fitness trackers to track their activity, while 15 participants stated they do not use a fitness tracker to track activity. Many individuals stated that having, a fitness tracker helps to increase awareness of level of activity throughout the day and it is a challenge to try to obtain step goals, but it is not the sole motivator behind exercise regimen. Individuals were asked what their biggest motivation was to exercise, the highest response by a significant amount was to lose weight or become healthier (65%). The majority of individuals stated that incorporating fitness trackers into a program or having one would increase motivation to participate in either activity. The biggest barrier preventing employees from obtaining their steps include work, sitting at their desk or desk job, meetings, job schedule, not getting to work out during lunch, or too busy to get up and move a lot. The average number of steps per week for the program was 3,148 steps daily which is below the average number of steps the United States achieve weekly and is significantly less than the recommended 10,000 steps daily. Conclusion: The results were disseminated to the corporate professionals, corporate wellness administrators and human resources. Lastly, the goal is to be able to present the findings and help further develop the program and determine if it will hold value within the corporation. Fitness trackers are a great tool to help individual’s tracker their fitness goals, while providing an external factor enhancing program participation. However, fitness trackers are not long-term motivators for physical activity adherence, or program participation for the company.
The Use of Technology as a Motivation Tool for Employee Wellness A Program Evaluation
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Purpose:It is evident that despite the abundant amenities, the company remains a high stress and sedentary environment and the health and wellness is at stake. Determining what motivates individuals to adhere and encourages them to participate in programs can help the health professionals promote physical activity in individuals. Activity trackers are can detect walking, jogging or running activities that encourage arm movements. The new technological innovations are tailored to appeal to all populations, especially individuals constantly on the go. With technology making an impact in the world of physical activity, it is creating a completely new component to motivating individuals to exercise. Fitness trackers are the new modern day exercise coach where individuals have access to an abundant amount of material that can encourage and adhere to physical activity. Once individuals are encouraged to exercise, adherence to the routine becomes a major roadblock for them (Huberty, Ransdell, Sidman, Flohr, Shultz, Grosshans & Durrant, 2008). Fitness trackers are thought to ignite an individual's motivation and aid to increase the chances of adherence. Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of fitness trackers on program retention and adherence. Furthermore, the program wanted to assess the effectiveness of fitness trackers in the workplace for increasing physical activity and improving an individual’s motivation to be physically active compared to non-fitness tracking users. Methods: The pretest survey provided baseline information for program assessment, while post-test survey provided a measurement for comparison over time. Over 4,000 individuals are a part of the onsite fitness facility. Each of these employees were notified about the program and were provided with the information to partake in the program. Eighty-five employees participated in the program. Out of the eighty-five employees who completed the pretest, seventy-five completed the posttest survey, and five individuals were a part of the informal discussion. Individuals of all levels of physical activity were encouraged to participate in the program. Furthermore, allowing individuals to use applications such as MapMyRun, Myfitnesspal, a pedometer or any other fitness tracking devices or non-devices allowed for more of a comprehensive program and encouraged all individuals to participate. The focus of the challenge was to log their steps over a two-month period. The goal of the challenge was simply to log as many steps of physical activity as possible over the duration of the program regardless of the intensity level. Results: Seventy participants in the program used fitness trackers to track their activity, while 15 participants stated they do not use a fitness tracker to track activity. Many individuals stated that having, a fitness tracker helps to increase awareness of level of activity throughout the day and it is a challenge to try to obtain step goals, but it is not the sole motivator behind exercise regimen. Individuals were asked what their biggest motivation was to exercise, the highest response by a significant amount was to lose weight or become healthier (65%). The majority of individuals stated that incorporating fitness trackers into a program or having one would increase motivation to participate in either activity. The biggest barrier preventing employees from obtaining their steps include work, sitting at their desk or desk job, meetings, job schedule, not getting to work out during lunch, or too busy to get up and move a lot. The average number of steps per week for the program was 3,148 steps daily which is below the average number of steps the United States achieve weekly and is significantly less than the recommended 10,000 steps daily. Conclusion: The results were disseminated to the corporate professionals, corporate wellness administrators and human resources. Lastly, the goal is to be able to present the findings and help further develop the program and determine if it will hold value within the corporation. Fitness trackers are a great tool to help individual’s tracker their fitness goals, while providing an external factor enhancing program participation. However, fitness trackers are not long-term motivators for physical activity adherence, or program participation for the company.