Measuring productivity, perceived stress and work engagement of a nationally delivered workplace step count challenge

Ryde, G. C. , Tomaz, S. A., Sandison, K., Greenwood, C. and Kelly, P. (2022) Measuring productivity, perceived stress and work engagement of a nationally delivered workplace step count challenge. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1843. (doi: 10.3390/ijerph19031843) (PMID:35162865) (PMCID:PMC8835687)

Abstract

Workplace step count challenges show promise with regard to increasing physical activity, with walking linked to many positive physical and mental health benefits. Few studies have investigated their effects on work-related outcomes. The aim of this study was to describe (1) the process of collecting work-related outcomes as part of a real-world workplace intervention, the Step Count Challenge, and (2) report step counts and work-related outcomes (productivity, perceived stress and work engagement) during the Step Count Challenge. This pre-post study was conducted as part of a four-week 2018 National Step Count Challenge (SCC) in Scotland, UK. A survey was administered to collect self-reported steps, productivity (HWQ), perceived stress (Cohen Perceived Stress Scale) and work engagement (UWES) on the week prior to the intervention starting (baseline), week 1 and week 4. Process data such as recruitment and response rates were monitored throughout. Of 2042 employees who signed up to the SCC, baseline data were reported for 246 (12% of total; mean age 42.5 years, 83% female). Process data suggest low uptake to the study and poor compliance between surveys time points. Preliminary data suggest positive changes in step counts (3374 steps/day by week 4), stress and productivity. No changes in work engagement were found. The findings highlight the need to integrate research more effectively into real-world interventions, including a true baseline period. The Step Count Challenge may have positive change on some work-related outcomes warranting further investigation into how robust research designs can be delivered without negatively influencing real-world interventions.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Tomaz, Dr Simone and Ryde, Dr Gemma

Creator Roles

Ryde, G.: Conceptualization, Project administration, Methodology, Formal analysis, Data curation, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing
Tomaz, S.: Formal analysis, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing, Data curation, Visualization

• Authors: Ryde, G. C., Tomaz, S. A., Sandison, K., Greenwood, C., and Kelly, P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1661-7827
• ISSN (Online): 1660-4601
• Published Online: 06 February 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19(3): 1843
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License