A survey study: Perceived barriers and facilitators to workplace virtual competition participation during COVID-19

Background: According to World Health Organization, a “healthy workplace” is a smart thing to achieve job success and is possible to promote moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) expected to adults. Virtual running competition (VRC) is a way to promote a healthy workplace atmosphere, while the study of this new idea is limited and the view of participants without joining the VRC has not been studied. Purpose: This retrospective qualitative case study is (1) to identify the common barriers and facilitators for staff to join the virtual running competition based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Method: All 12 administrative staff from the Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE) of The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) were invited with 8 staff consented to join in the study. Individual semi-structured interviews about their physical activity level with the use of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-S) and the point of view on VRC with open-ended questions were conducted. Analysis: A deductive approach according to the SDT, 3 themes: competence, autonomy and relatedness are used to analyze the barriers or facilitators of interviewees joining VRC. Findings: All staff were reported not joining VRC organized by the department. Autonomy in the workplace and relatedness in competition had given the most barriers to joining the VRC. Significance of study: Findings were discussed, suggesting practical applications for VRC to be all-rounded, catering to adults' psychological needs for establishing exercise habits in the workplace.