A pilot intervention to promote walking and wellness and to improve the health of college faculty and staff.
There is a need to investigate novel interventions that promote worksite physical activity and wellness.


OBJECTIVE
The authors' purpose in this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week walking program supplemented with a pedometer, computer educational program, and weekly e-mails.


METHODS
College faculty and staff participated in a one-group pre-posttest study to determine whether the 12-week walking intervention had an effect on body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol. The authors also determined participant-perceived wellness effects.


RESULTS
The authors observed differences between baseline and follow-up in BMI (p = .024), blood glucose (p = .06), and total cholesterol (p = .09). The program had a moderate effect on fitness, mood, health awareness, nutrition, and health.


CONCLUSIONS
It is incumbent that experts develop innovative worksite physical activity and wellness programs. A pedometer-monitored walking program is one way that a worksite health initiative can improve the health and wellness of its employees and simultaneously reduce health-care costs.
Haines
Danell J
DJ
National Research Institute for College Recreational Sports and Wellness, Department of Recreational Sports at The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA. haines.2@osu.edu
Davis
Liz
L
Rancour
Patrice
P
Robinson
Marianne
M
Neel-Wilson
Trish
T
Wagner
Susan
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009042:Motivation; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014495:Universities; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology
D002784:Cholesterol