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ttecal influences using a quantitative study design with a largersample and objective measures of workers’ physical activity.

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2009.10.195

Abstracts / Journal of Science an

93

here to start? Community consultation on increasinghysical activity in culturally and linguistically diverseroups in Queensland

. Komaric 1,∗, H. Do 1, J. Goris 2, A. Guandalini 2, C.ickson 2

Ethnic Communities Council of QueenslandQueensland Health

Introduction/methods: As the first step in developing anpproach to increasing physical activity in culturally and lin-uistically diverse (CALD) communities in Queensland, thethnic Communities Council of Queensland coordinated aeries of focus groups with 9 different CALD communi-ies. These included, Indian, Greek, Vietnamese, Filipino,amoan, Sudanese, Bosnian, Arabic speaking and Spanishpeaking communities in South East Queensland. The focusroups were conducted by 13 multicultural community healthorkers from each of these communities between March andpril 2008. Data from each of the communities were anal-sed by the health worker and focused on cultural attitudes tohysical activity, the most desirable physical activity optionsnd barriers to participation.

Results/conclusions: Some of the cultural attitudes tohysical activity identified included perceived relative unim-ortance of “exercise” because of more pressing issues (e.g.ousing, employment, post war trauma and stress), culturaleliefs (e.g. overweight is associated with being healthy andealthy) and a lack of knowledge on the benefits of being

ctive. There were strong preferences for certain types ofhysical activity identified in some communities, for examplewimming (Samoan), dancing (Indian) and tai chi and yogaVietnamese). Walking was identified as a preferred type ofhysical activity by many of the groups. Barriers identifiedy the groups included, availability of culturally acceptablelaces to be active, language differences, cost and percep-ions of safety. Through a comparison of responses from theseroups the diversity of attitudes, barriers and physical activ-ty preferences was considerable. This highlights the needo avoid a “one-size fits all” approach when working withALD communities. Other key findings applicable to theevelopment of intervention approaches, policy, or programsor CALD groups include the importance of targeted com-unity consultation, the need to build capacity in the CALD

nd mainstream physical activity sectors and the importancef using multi-cultural health workers to draw out informa-ion and accurately interpret responses from each community.inally a key lesson learnt is that community consultationan raise expectations that something will be done as a resultf their input. This can lead to frustration and disillusion-

ent if the period between consultation and perceived action

s lengthy. The workshop will link the two “where to start”ALD PA proposals to provide a platform for sharing experi-nces on working with CALD groups and a discussion about

cine in Sport 12 (2010) e1–e232 e95

uture directions for research, policy and practice to increasehysical activity amongst this priority population group.

oi:10.1016/j.jsams.2009.10.194

94

ow do workplace environments influence physical activ-ty? A qualitative study of employee’s perceptions ofnfluences on physical activity within the workplace

. Bennie ∗, J. Salmon, D. Crawford

Deakin University

Purpose: Physical inactivity is an important public healthhallenge. Because of the broad reach, the workplace is andeal setting to promote and support physical activity in aarge section of the adult population. Social ecological mod-ls posit that physical activity is influenced by a complexnteraction of individual, social and physical environmentalactors. However, few studies have used social ecologicalramework to examine influences on physical activity dur-ng working hours. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitativetudy was to explore employee’s perceptions of key influ-nces on physical activity during working hours.

Methodology: Using a social ecological framework, one-n-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34mployees (n = 19 women) in two workplaces in Metropoli-an Melbourne, Australia (call centre and IT company).nterviews were audiotaped and later transcribed. A contentnalysis identified reoccurring themes.

Results: The major emerging themes most commonlyeported as influencing factors on physical activity duringork hours included; lack of time throughout the workingay (due to short breaks and high work commitments), lack ofntentions to be active during work hours (due to perceptionshat the workplace was not an appropriate setting for physi-al activity), unsupportive social environment (due to limitedompany focus, other employees not active and workplacesaving a culture of not taking regular breaks), unsupportivehysical environments (due to limited access to on-site facil-ties, and a lack of safety in the outside environment) andnsupportive policy environments (due to limited incentiveso be active).

Conclusions: The study findings suggest that interven-ions to increase physical activity during working hours inhis setting should account for the social, physical and policynvironments. Future studies should confirm these ecologi-