Exercise for health

Abstract

A work-based project to influence people to take more physical activity was undertaken as part of the 'Health of the Nation: Health at Work' initiative, aimed at promoting an increase in the amount of physical activity taken by a group of employees of Camden and Islington Community NHS Trust. It was conducted in two stages with a six-month interval between them. Participants identified barriers, both personal and organisational, which deterred them from taking exercise. Using a static exercise bicycle participants were able to experience the feeling of working with 70% and 85% of maximum heart rate, and were taught to assess their rate of perceived exertion using the Borg scale. Participants were helped to select suitable programmes and were shown methods of monitoring their own levels of physical activity. Evaluation was by data analysis and questionnaire. Feedback from the participants was positive. Recommendations were made to the trust and to the leisure services of the two local authorities, some of which have since been acted upon. This proved a practical way of raising awareness of the importance of physical activity and helping people to change behaviour.