| dc.description.abstract | Aktiv på dagtid (Apd) is a fitness program organized by the Oslo Idrettskrets (Oslo sport association) since 1995. The overarching goal is to enhance physical activity and integration of people in Oslo aged 18 to 65 who receive Social Security benefits. Oslo Idrettskrets wanted to evaluate the program and NOVA has conducted a survey among the participants at Apd. The purpose of this study is to describe how the participants use Apd, their evaluation of the program and what it has meant to them to participate in the program. The data material is a survey designed specifically for this report. 498 participants answered a questionnaire with questions of the frequencies and motives for participation, their experience with training sessions and what they think the training has meant to them. In addition, they were invited to describe their experience with Apd and present opinions on the program in an open field at the end of the questionnaire. The response rate is 95 percent of those asked to participate in the study. The questionnaires were handed out to the participants after training at the gym. The disadvantage of this design is that it excludes those not exercise, either because they have quit or got back to work or because they did not want to participate any longer for various reasons. The advantage of the chosen method is the high response rate among those who actually participate at Apd. Who are the participants? 63 percents of the participants are women and 59 percents were born in Norway. 56 percents are 50 years or older, 24 percents are in their forties while 20 percents are 39 or younger. About half of the respondents rated their economy as average; while 32 percent consider it bad and 19 percent good. 40 percent report having college or university education as their highest completed education. The remaining 60 percent are distributed evenly between general secondary and secondary vocational and secondary school or less. Most of the participants in the Apd (almost 80 per cent) are completely out of work, while 12 percent work less than 50 percent and 9 percent work 50 percent or more. About a third considers their state of health as pretty good. A few more consider their health good or fairly good compared to the percentage with poor or very poor health. About 30 percent exercise once a week and about as many say that they practice twice a week and slightly less exercise three times a week. 41 percent have participated in Apd for two years or more. 26 percent report that they heard about the program through friends or acquaintances, and these are the most important sources of information on Apd. The second most reported source for information about Apd is various treatment institutions (22 percent), NAV (21 percent) and healthcare (17 percent). For 86 percent of the respondents improving their health was an important reason for starting training. Almost as many (79 percent) wanted to improve their fitness. These two reasons were most frequently mentioned. Experiences of the training Why did the participants exercise at Apd? Training fee is 300 NKR per year, and price seems a critical factor for 83 percent. Other reasons for choosing Apd are that they exhibit “a good range of activities”, the workout taking place at daytime and the high quality of instructors. 67 percent say it is important for them that the exercises are easy to follow. The main impression was that most participants are satisfied with the training. 91 percent report that they feel good after exercise, and almost as many (86 percent) stated that they were satisfied with themselves having exercised. About as many (87 percent) said that they enjoyed the training lessons. There were relatively few with negative experiences. 13 percent said the training is too difficult, and 11 percent say they dread going to training. Men and participants from minority groups agreed to a greater degree than women and the majority that "classes are too difficult" and that "I dread going to the gym." Did participation in Apd involve social relations to other participants? Almost half (48 percent) have got new acquaintances, and as many as 25 percent say they have made new friends through Apd. One-third say they do not know any of the others in training. More than 40 percent say they do not really know anyone, but that they recognize others and greet some of them regularly. Impact of training The survey asks the participants in Apd what consequences the exercise has had for them. 85 percents claim they have increased their fitness and 77 percents report that they have improved their health. These are the most commonly reported outcome of training. 77 percents report 'becoming more satisfied with myself' and 72 percents that training gives 'a good feeling of having done something' (72 percents). Similar effects are “increased energy to do other things' (62 percent) and 'better everyday routines' (58 percent). A more concrete effect like “sleeping better” is reported by 44 percents. 67 percents say they have improved their mental health. 56 percent of the respondents believe participation has contributed to changing everyday routines. Moreover, we asked how the training affects their expectations regarding getting back into work. Almost a third (31 percents) says their expectations regarding getting back to work are improved. 39 percent also report that they have begun to exercise more in other contexts, while 48 percent believe they are more physically active in everyday life. Critics and suggestions of improvement Critics and suggestions for changes and improvements from the participants primarily concerned extending the time they could spend on training each day (which is two hours per day). Other suggestions were more instruction in the gym, better information (many complained that they heard about Apd too late) and that some of the instructors could be more appreciative. It should be recalled that only a small minority points out this lack of recognition from the instructors. Far more highlight the instructors as positive. In summary This study shows that participants in Apd all in all are very satisfied with the training. Many of them also believe that they benefit from training in the form of better health, getting fitter and more self-confident, to mention some. We suggest that there are four factors that make Apd successful; high quality, low price, low-threshold activities and not being part of the “ordinary” social support system, but as one participant puts it, "a neutral arena”. | en |
