How Do Stages of Change for Physical Activity Relate to Employee Sign-Up for and Completion of a Worksite Physical Activity Competition?

Introduction: This study evaluated whether stages of change for physical activity (PA) predict sign-up, participation, and completion in a PA competition.

Method: Deidentified data were provided to evaluate a PA competition between 16 different institutions from a public university system. Employees who completed a health assessment (HA) prior to the start of the PA competition ( n = 6,333) were included in the study. Participants completed a self-report HA and logged their PA throughout the competition. Multivariable logistic regression models tested whether stages of change predicted PA competition sign-up and completion. An ordinal logistic regression model tested whether stages of change predicted number of weeks of PA competition participation.

Results: Stages of change predicted PA competition sign-up and completion, but not weeks of participation. The odds for PA competition sign-up were 1.64 and 1.98 times higher for employees in preparation and action/maintenance (respectively) compared with employees in precontemplation/contemplation. The odds for PA competition completion were 4.17 times higher for employees in action/maintenance compared with employees in precontemplation/contemplation/preparation.

Conclusion: The PA competition was more likely to reach employees in preparation, action, or maintenance stages than precontemplation/contemplation. Most of the completers were likely participating in regular PA prior to the competition.