A Study on Gender Differences in Influencing Factors of Office Workers' Physical Activity

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine gender differences in effects of self-efficacy, exercise benefits and barriers, and demographic factors on the physical activity. Methods Seventy sedentary office workers, 35 male and 35 female, from a major airline company, completed a questionnaire from March 28 to April 5, 2012. Steps and body mass indices were measured using a CW-700/701 (Yamax) pedometer and Inbody 720 (Biospace), respectively. Data were analyzed using t-test, χ2-test, multiple linear regression, and simultaneous quantile regression. Results For male workers, exercise self-efficacy had a significant effect on physical activity, but only when respondents were at 10%(3,431 steps/day, p=.018) and 25%(4,652 steps/day, p=.044) of the physical activity distribution. For female workers, marital status was significantly related to physical activity, but only when respondents were at 10% (3,537 steps/day, p=.013) and 25%(3,862 steps/day, p=.014) of the physical activity distribution. Conclusion Quantile regression highlights the heterogeneous effect of physical activity determinants among office workers. Therefore intervention strategies for increasing physical activity should be tailed to genders as well as physical activity levels.ope