EFFECT OF A PEDOMETER-BASED WALKING CHALLENGE ON QUALITY OF LIFE AMONGST UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES

Back to Page Authors: Arwa Alumran

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Keywords: exercise, quality of life, academic institute, pedometer

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Abstract: Background: Regular physical activity has a direct association with an improvement in perceived health-related quality of life (HRQL). Because many Saudis are reportedly inactive, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University established a walking challenge for all university employees to encourage a better lifestyle and to promote health awareness. This study aims to measure the differences in the participants’ HRQL scores before and after the challenge. Methods: a HRQL survey is sent to all university employees before the implementation of a pedometer-based walking challenge at the study setting. The questionnaire is re-sent after the challenge ended and differences in the overall HRQL were calculated. A RAND SF20-items scale was used to measure the participants’ HRQL scores, along with other information such as academic qualifications. Results: Most of the participants were between 31 and 50 years old, and 40% were males. There was a statistically significant difference in the overall HRQL scores before and after the walking challenge intervention. The HRQL score increased from 50.77 before the challenge to 55.53 after the challenge (paired t-test = -4.322, P < .0001). An odds ratio (OR) showed that the odds of having higher HRQL scores increased by 88% after the walking challenge, compared to before the walking challenge (OR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.269-2.809; P = .002). Conclusions: Physical activity by itself can improve a community’s overall health and quality of life. Similar interventions are encouraged in all public and private sectors in the country.

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