Physical Activity Best Practices
How to use this page: Once you complete the Designing Healthier Environments at Work (DHEW) assessment, you will receive a print off that lists the best practices in order of achieving (first), partially achieving (second), and not achieving (third). The order listed will be different for each workstie based on the answers to the assessment.
Notice also that the DHEW print out arranges best practices for Physical Activity by the subtopic areas Organization/Policy, Worksite Environment, and Health Programming/Activities. The best practices on this page are also arranged by these subtopics and are then arranged alphabetically for ease of location. Following each best practice you will find resources that will help you to reach that best practice.
Organization/Policy
“Implement a policy or written procedure that ensures physical activity opportunities are available during the work day, including walking meetings, flexible work schedules, activity breaks during company sponsored meetings.”
These resources contain general policy information, policies for meetings regarding physical activity, and flex time policies.
GENERAL POLICIES
Policies Webpage
Summary: Webpage with Center for Disease Control and Prevention guide to general policy information for the Healthy Worksite Initiative. Includes policies in federal workplaces which can be used as a guide for a worksite writing their own policies.
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention Healthier Worksite Initiative
Access: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/policy/index.htm
MEETINGS/PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Eat Smart North Carolina: Guidelines for Healthy Foods and Beverages at Meetings, Gatherings, and Events
Summary: PDF with guidelines for healthy foods and beverages for meetings and events.
Source: Eat Smart Move More North Carolina
Access: http://www.mihealthtools.org/work/documents/HealthyFoodsNC.pdf
National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity Healthy Meeting Toolkit
Summary: PDF toolkit to be used for anyone who wants to have healthier meetings and conferences. This addresses nutrition, physical activity, tobacco-free, and sustainability.
Source: National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity
Access: http://cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/Healthy-Meeting-Toolkit.pdf
Sit for 60, Move for 3 Sample Policy
Summary: Information is free, but email address must be entered to access information. Sample policy for healthy meetings.
Source: WELCOA
Access: https://www.welcoa.org/resources/sample-sit-60-move-3-policy/
Staff Fitness Breaks
Summary: Exercise cards for use during meeting stretch breaks. Print the cards and laminate them to use during an upcoming staff meeting.
Source: Alliance for a Healthier Generation
Access: https://www.healthiergeneration.org/_asset/ddn8pb/146321_StaffFitnessBreaks.pdf
FLEX TIME
Flex Time/Physical Activity Opportunities Policy
Summary: PDF which provides examples of flex time policies. Flex time allows employees to be physically active during work hours by adjusting their work schedule accordingly.
Source: DHS Oregon Public Health Division
Access: www.mihealthtools.org/work/documents/FlextimePolicy.pdf
“Offer onsite or off site exercise facilities to employees at no cost or at a reduced rate.”
Worksites can look at funding opportunities and information on writing grants in these resources to fund this program. Additionally, local exercise facilities may offer a corporate rate for a worksite. Check with the insurance provider of the worksite, as they may offer discounts for employees who are members of a gym, or offer gym memberships to employees.
Funding Opportunities for Work Force Health Promotion
Summary: Web-based list of resources which includes sources for potential funding and information on grant writing.
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention Healthier Worksite Initiative
Access: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/programdesign/funding.htm
Health Innovation Grants Webpage
Summary: Web based information about applying to the Health Innovation Grants from MDHHS.
Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Access: http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,4612,7-132-63157_3149-360971--,00.html
Worksite Environment
“Encourage physical activity at work by providing an environment that supports physical activity, including safe walking paths on the company property; bike racks to encourage bike commuting; maps of local walking/biking routes for use before, during and after work; open spaces for recreation on company campus; onsite shower and changing facilities; well lit, safe and attractive stairwell.”
General policy information can be found below. Worksites can create policies to support these environmental changes.
Policies Webpage
Summary: Webpage with Center for Disease Control and Prevention guide to general policy information for the Healthy Worksite Initiative. Includes policies in federal workplaces which can be used as a guide for a worksite writing their own policies.
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention Healthier Worksite Initiative
Access: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/policy/index.htm
Safe Routes to Schools Website
Summary: A program designed to make walking and biking to school safer and more accessible.
Source: National Center for Safe Routes to School
Access: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/
“Post “point of decision” signs near elevators and escalators directing people toward stairwells. Post signs at stairwell entrances and other key locations to encourage employee use of the stairs.”
“Point of decision signs” can be helpful to remind employees of physical activity options. Posters and resources are available below.
Physical Activity Poster 1 and 2
Summary: Must enter email address, name, phone number, and mailing address to access these free resources. A variety of posters to promote physical activity. Free to print.
Source: WELCOA Posters
Access: https://www.welcoa.org/?s=posters ; https://www.welcoa.org/resources/physical-activity-poster-1/ ; https://www.welcoa.org/resources/physical-activity-poster-2/
Stairwell Motivation Signs
Summary: Contains information on how to develop posters as well as links to posers at the bottom of the page. Posters are free to print.
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention Stairwell
Access- instructions: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/toolkits/stairwell/motivational_signs.htm
Access - direct poster links: www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/stairwell_messages.pdf ; www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/stairwell_messages2.pdf
Posters
Summary: Posters to promote healthy snacking, vending machines, and walking. Free to print.
Source: The Center for Science in the Public Interest
Access: http://www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/healthy-vending.html
Get Started Walking Flyer
Summary: Posters to promote walking. Free to print.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Access: http://www.cdc.gov/nationalhealthyworksite/docs/wk01_get_started_flyer.pdf
Why Walk? Walking Pocket Guide
Summary: Pocket guide to promote walking. Free to print.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Access: http://www.cdc.gov/nationalhealthyworksite/docs/walking_pocket_guide.pdf
Health Programming/Activities
“Offer individual and/or group physical activity programs that are geared toward employee interests.”
Physical activity programs can come in various shapes and sizes. This may be organized lunchtime physical activity classes such as yoga, a walking mileage competition, activity breaks during the work day or a database to track physical activity by employees. A physical activity interest survey can be distributed to find out the physical activity preferences of employees.
Policies Webpage
Summary: Webpage with Center for Disease Control and Prevention guide to general policy information for the Healthy Worksite Initiative. Includes policies in federal workplaces which can be used as a guide for a worksite writing their own policies.
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention Healthier Worksite Initiative
Access: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/policy/index.htm
Staff Fitness Breaks
Summary: Exercise cards for use during meeting breaks. These include stretching, cardio and weight-bearing exercise examples.
Source: Alliance for a Healthier Generation
Access: https://www.healthiergeneration.org/_asset/ddn8pb/146321_StaffFitnessBreaks.pdf
“Provide free or subsidized physical activity self-management/behavior change programs at least four times per year. These can be offered either onsite or through collaboration with an outside organization, including online programs.”
Michigan State University Extension Nutrition and Physical Activity Programs
Summary: A list of classes offered for free to SNAP eligible audiences.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Access: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/topic/programs/food_health
“Provide free or subsidized physical activity seminars, workshops or classes at least four times per year. These can be offered either onsite or through collaboration with an outside organization, including online programs.”
MSU Extension provides nutrition and physical activity classes and presentations as well as an online program. Other local physical activity and community organizations may provide additional classes and topics such as the YMCA.
MSU Extension Nutrition and Physical Activity Programs
Summary: A list of classes offered for free to SNAP eligible audiences. My Way to Wellness is offered completely online for free to SNAP eligible participants.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Access: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/topic/programs/food_health
YMCA Website
Summary: A community centered nonprofit which offers physical activity programs.
Source: YMCA
Access: http://www.ymca.net/
Funding Opportunities for Work Force Health Promotion
Summary: Web-based list of resources which includes sources for potential funding and information on grant writing.
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention Healthier Worksite Initiative
Access: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/programdesign/funding.htm
Health Innovation Grants Webpage
Summary: Web based information about applying to the Health Innovation Grants from MDHHS.
Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Access: http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,4612,7-132-63157_3149-360971--,00.html
“Provide frequent communication-at least once per month-about the benefits of physical activity through communication channels that reach employees, including videos, posters, pamphlets, newsletter or other written or online information.”
Can connect worksites with MSUE Newsletters, Posters, and can also refer to MyPlate website for additional handouts. Search for free templates that can be used for a worksite to create a customized newsletter.
Gateway to Health Communication and Social Marketing Practice: Tools and Templates
Summary: A webpage with general communications information that includes templates for marketing materials and tips to make outreach successful.
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Access: http://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/ToolsTemplates/
MyPlate Website
Summary: Contains links to nutrition information, handouts, recipes, and more.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Access: www.myplate.gov
Physical Activity Poster 1 and 2
Summary: Must enter email address to access these free resources. A variety of posters to promote physical activity.
Source: WELCOA Posters
Access: https://www.welcoa.org/?s=posters ; https://www.welcoa.org/resources/physical-activity-poster-1/ ; https://www.welcoa.org/resources/physical-activity-poster-2/
Stairwell Motivation Signs
Summary: Contains information on how to develop posters as well as links to posers at the bottom of the page.
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention Stairwell
Access- instructions: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/toolkits/stairwell/motivational_signs.htm
Access - direct poster links: www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/stairwell_messages.pdf ; www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/stairwell_messages2.pdf
Posters
Summary: Posters to promote healthy snacking, vending machines, and walking.
Source: The Center for Science in the Public Interest
Access: http://www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/healthy-vending.html
Get Started Walking Flyer
Summary: Posters to promote walking.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Access: http://www.cdc.gov/nationalhealthyworksite/docs/wk01_get_started_flyer.pdf
Why Walk? Walking Pocket Guide
Summary: Pocket guide to promote walking.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Access: http://www.cdc.gov/nationalhealthyworksite/docs/walking_pocket_guide.pdf
“Provide or subsidize physical fitness assessments, onsite or through a community exercise facility, that include individualized feedback, counseling/education and personalized recommendations or goals"
See information for how to conduct a Health Risk Appraisal.
Health Risk Appraisals General Information and Checklist for Planning Employee Health Risk Appraisal Implementation
Summary: A webpage from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention covering an overview of Health Risk Appraisals including considerations for use in the workplace, what Health Risk Appraisals are, reasons why a workplace may opt to participate in a Health Risk Appraisals, and important things to consider including ethics.
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention Healthier Worksite Initiative
Access: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/programdesign/health_risk_appraisals.htm
“Support community physical activity opportunities, such as sports teams or charity walks at least four times per year.”
Refer to community calendars and resources that may guide worksites to local events. Encourage them to connect with local charity walks and teams based on their region.
Michigan Fitness Foundation Move Webpage
Summary: Offers statewide physical activity initiatives.
Source: Michigan Fitness Foundation
Access: http://www.michiganfitness.org/move
National Health Observances Webpage
Summary: A website with a list of special health observances dedicated to raising awareness about important health topics.
Source: Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Access: http://healthfinder.gov/NHO/
Employee Well Being Month
Summary: Takes place in June and spotlights the workplace’s role in encouraging health among employees.
Access: http://employeewellbeingmonth.com/
National Bike Month
Summary: Takes place in May and is sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists. Visit the website to learn about the National Bike to Work Day each year.
Source: League of American Wheelmen, Inc.
Access: http://bikeleague.org/bikemonth
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month Toolkit
Summary: Occurs in May and raises awareness about the importance of physical activity.
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services
Access: http://healthfinder.gov/nho/MayToolkit.aspx
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