Investigating the Effectiveness of Exercise Coaching on the Physical Activity Behavior of Physically Inactive Employees.

Investigating the Effectiveness of Exercise Coaching on the Physical Activity Behavior of Physically Inactive Employees in a Company in Flanders: a Randomized Control Trial.

The primary aim of this study is to investigate if and how a physical activity counselor can offer an added value in exercise promotion in physically inactive employees. We will explore if the physical activity counselor in the workplace setting can motivate sedentary employees to engage into systematic participation in sports and/or exercise by means of a short term coaching of 12 weeks. We aim to include 300 employees in the physical activity coaching process.

Being physically active on a regular basis has many health benefits. Nevertheless, the majority of the Belgian population doesn't reach the recommended amount and intensity of physical activity to profit from these health benefits. A physical activity counselor can possibly play a crucial role for these physically inactive individuals. He/she can design an individualized exercise program to stimulate the person to become lifelong physical active. Research has shown that exercise promotion at work can result in a lower absenteeism, prevention of burn-out and a positive corporate identity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Employee of Janssen Pharmaceutics Belgium
• Physically inactive lifestyle (not reaching 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity a week)
• PAR-Q questionnaire all answers negative, if one or more answers are positive a permission of a physician is necessary

Exclusion Criteria:

• none