Physical Activity Promotion for Apprentices in Nursing Care and Automotive Mechatronics–Competence Counts More than Volume

Johannes Carl, Eva Grüne, Johanna Popp and Klaus Pfeifer
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Johannes Carl: Department of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
Eva Grüne: Department of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
Johanna Popp: Department of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
Klaus Pfeifer: Department of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: Apprentices in the area of nursing care and automotive mechatronics are exposed to increased health risks. In this context, the promotion of physical activity (PA) is considered an effective strategy for the assurance of work ability. The goal of the PArC-AVE study was therefore to better understand the role of PA for apprentices employed in these two sectors. In an exploratory study, 55 apprentices wore an ActiGraph accelerometer over seven consecutive days and were subject to activity analysis. The objective accelerometer data (18,979 ± 3780 steps/day; 471.00 ± 159.75 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA/week), complemented by questionnaire data, indicated that most met the volume-based PA recommendations. Subsequently, we conducted a multicenter study comprising 745 apprentices from six vocational education institutions. Path analyses showed that competencies for health-enhancing PA were significantly related to indicators of work ability (0.180 ≤ b ≤ 0.452) and psychophysical health (0.139 ≤ b ≤ 0.347), whereas mere volume of PA was not (−0.048 ≤ b ≤ 0.080). In summary, apprentices of nursing care and automotive mechatronics showed high levels of PA. However, the results highlight the importance of competencies for health-enhancing PA. The PAHCO model could provide a useful framework for the conceptualization of effective interventions.

Keywords: physical activity; health competence; apprentices; work ability; health literacy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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