Impacto de um projeto de intervenção multidisciplinar na mudança de comportamentos no meio empresarial... a importância do exercício físico

Abstract

Studies point to an alert in the occupational health of the Portuguese since a large part of the working-age population develops their professional activity in a sedentary manner. On the other hand, it is known that small changes in the work environment that aim at changing negative behavioral habits and that encourage a healthier and more active lifestyle have an impact on the quality of life of individuals. This study aimed to: I) identify the perception of business managers regarding the behavioral habits of their employees and the possible influence of these habits on the current scenario of the company; II) develop informative, educational and practical actions for company employees with a multidisciplinary proposal anchored in 4 pillars (physical, nutritional, emotional and preventive behavior); III) register the influence and impact of the intervention developed, through reports of experiences throughout the project. This intervention project was developed in a company located in the Centro Empresarial Candal Park, Vila Nova de Gaia. Out of a total of 22 employees, 14 accepted to participate in the study (43% men, mean age 38 years). In the data collection, structured interviews were used, concerning the impact of the project and the practice of physical exercise, barriers faced for its practice and behavioral habits. Eighteen practical exercise sessions were carried out in the work environment, which included breathing, posture, mobility and strength, twice a week in addition to multidisciplinary educational actions, during the 4 months of intervention. It was concluded that a Multidisciplinary Intervention, was able to raise awareness, inform and awaken healthier behaviors among employees and consolidate the managers' thinking about the importance of Intervention and physical exercise in the company through several benefits presented and exceeded expectations, about the managers' thinking it was possible to conclude that, both are convinced that health can start inside the company.