Executive health and fitness: a pilot study

Abstract

Research indicates that executives are at risk of developing certain cardio-vascular problems. Studies have also shown that exercise can offer some protection against the onset of certain illnesses and improve work-related capabilities. In an attempt to derive the benefits of physical activity many overseas corporations have developed employee fitness programmes. To date, the establishment of such programmes has been limited in New Zealand. This study was undertaken in order to provide preliminary information on the level of and attitudes towards executive health and fitness in this country. A self-completion questionnaire was designed and administered to 134 executives from four large business-houses in the Wellington region. The survey was aimed at examining executives' attitudes towards physical activity, their current level of participation, their attitudes towards exercise programmes and levels of work-related stress. The demographic variables, age and managerial status, were held constant. The major findings were: a) that age had greater discriminatory power than managerial status in relation to executives' behaviour and attitudes towards health and fitness; b) that established patterns of participation in physical activity were evident in the sample; c) that fitness, enjoyment and relaxation were important motivating factors in determining the level and amount of physical activity; d) that work-related stress, perceived by the sample, did not adversely affect job satisfaction; e) that there was qualified support for the concept of executive exercise programmes.