Sarah McGann

Application of the Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire (OSPAQ) to office based workers

BackgroundThe workplace is a setting where sedentary behaviour is highly prevalent. Accurately measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviour is crucial to assess the impact of behavioural change interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and criterion validity of the Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire (OSPAQ) and compare with data collected by accelerometers.MethodsA test-retest study was undertaken on 99 participants using the OSPAQ. Data were then compared to accelerometer records of 41 participants. Reliability was assessed by paired t-test and intra-class correlations (ICC) via a two-way mixed model based on absolute agreement. Difference and agreement were measured by comparison of mean self-reported data with accelerometer data using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots.ResultsThe ICCs for minutes spent sitting (0.66), standing (0.83) and walking (0.77) showed moderate to strong test-retest reliability. No significant differences were found between the repeated measurements taken seven days apart. Correlations with the accelerometer readings were moderate. The Bland-Altman plots showed moderate agreement for standing time and walking time but systematic variation for sedentary time.ConclusionThe OSPAQ appears to have acceptable reliability and validity measurement properties for application in the office workplace setting.

Stationary in the Office: Emerging themes for active buildings

This research aims to highlight the gap between management, design and health-promotion strategies in the workplace, and seeks to illustrate how the disciplines of architecture and health promotion can work together to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase opportunities for incidental physical activity within the working day. In particular, this paper argues that qualitative research with a focus on socio-cultural factors is necessary to fully understand how the spatial practices of a workplace might positively or negatively influence the sedentary behaviour of workers. This paper summarizes observational and anecdotal findings of a pilot study. The workplace was analysed using architectural movement diagramming, observational and photographic studies along with textural analysis of the anecdotal comments offered to the field officers during the process of data collection. This study shows that overlaying physical workplace design are multiple layers of spatial, managerial and cultural influences that affect workers and their reasons for movement. The lived-experience information gained from the observational studies adds to a richer understanding of the workplace as a social organization and how this might inform active workplace design.

Switching Hats: From Accessibility to Possibility

Neil is a sporty, outdoorsy sort of bloke. He spends very little time at home, preferring to golf, surf, go to the footy and hang out with his mates: You can tell just by looking inside his house—a huge TV in the darkened lounge, and golf equipment, surfboards and motorbike gear fill up the room. That was before last October. Now, in June, Neil is a paraplegic, his house is inaccessible and his boys-toys are in the way. For Neil, his home, previously an inwardly focused place to sleep and store, will become the centre of his world (when he can eventually get into it). Initially, accessibility is the key problem to be solved. To this end the architectural advisor from the rehabilitation unit proposed formulaic adjustments to the bathroom to allow for wheelchair access. However, accessibility is only one facet of the problem. This environment, relatively unimportant before, now needs to enable and inspire the occupant both physically and emotionally. As physical abilities dramatically change the spatial practices of everyday life also change. The home environment is ever more important to support and help heal emotional scarring after a life-changing event. In the context of shorter hospital and rehabilitation stays, the home provides a vital extension to the healthcare system. Therefore it is important that architectural advice given to enable this move considers the holistic qualities of design thinking rather than be restricted to short-term solutions.

Green Star is not a physical activity star

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on research investigating the relationship between physical activity and workplace design. In particular, the paper explores the social–ecological context of a new workplace building. This paper seeks to understand why better physical activity outcomes for the staff were not observed in the new building despite influence from a staff wellness committee during design; achieving success against existing best-practice indicators; and staff reporting increased feelings of wellness, energy and satisfaction with the new building. Design/methodology/approach Three design aspects are taken as a focus from within an opportunistic pre-/post-physical activity study of an organisation as they move from a building they occupied for 30 years into a new purpose-designed building. This study was conducted through mixed methods, incorporating ethnographic, architectural and quantitative means. Findings The social, spatial and personal context is important for understanding participant workplace-based physical activity. Despite the health and well-being goals and 5 Star Green Star outcomes of the new building, participants were sedentary for a substantive part of their workday in both buildings. Practical implications A well-designed environment can support staff feeling healthier, but the 5 Star Green Star rating does not implicitly ensure a healthier, activity-promoting environment. Facilities managers and designers can act to provide physically active paths as the most straightforward circulation option in workplaces. Originality/value The originality of this study lies in the opportunity to conduct a pre-/post-study of physical activity where the organisation, workforce and type of work are constant and where the variable is the building design, spatial configuration and location. The methods used in this study draw from both health promotion and architectural research practices.

Connections: Academics, Architects and Community Pro-Bono Projects

This chapter proposes a model for offering pro-bono architectural design projects to communities in a fashion that facilitates capacity-building opportunities for three cohorts: academic researchers, early-career graduates and industry professionals. The model provides a structure for collaborative work between all three participants, one that enables developing community-based pro-bono design projects that address real community needs. The model is first described in general terms, then illustrated by a case study comprising a pro-bono residential design project, then discussed in terms of the implications of the case study.

Sticky advice for Research Students

The sticky advice for doctoral students reproduced on the following page represents our sense of the collaboration between doctoral student and supervisor when all goes well. For Sarah, it represents her sense that the doctoral student moves from a position of learning to teaching – the sticky notes come from a presentation she gave to current doctoral students in her department shortly after graduation.