Qualitative Evaluation of the Work Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise Program for Older Employees (wLiFE55+) from Participants Perspectives

BackgroundThe ageing workforce and increasing prevalence of sedentary behaviour highlight the need for workplace strategies that promote physical activity (PA) and prevent functional decline in older employees. Traditional workplace PA interventions (WPAI) often lack feasibility due to limited time, low motivation, and insufficient integration into daily routines. The wLiFE55+ program applies a lifestyle-integrated approach by embedding strength, balance, and PA activities into everyday work tasks. This study qualitatively explored participants experiences to assess acceptability, perceived benefits, and priorities for refinement. MethodsThis qualitative sub-study was embedded in a four-week wLiFE55+ pilot intervention for employees aged 55 years and older. After completing the intervention, two focus groups (n = 8; mean age 58.5 years) were conducted. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using deductive qualitative content analysis informed by the Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) concept and the Theoretical Domains Framework. Analysis focused on three overarching categories: (1) overall program experiences, (2) perceptions of program content, and (3) behaviour-change processes. ResultsParticipants perceived wLiFE55+ as meaningful, feasible, and aligned with naturally occurring work situations. Trainer support facilitated understanding, adaptation, and confidence in implementing activities. Reported challenges included insufficient preparatory information about the baseline assessment, rapid progression of activity difficulty, social discomfort in shared office environments, and the burden of paper-based documentation. Participants expressed a preference for clearer communication, more practice time between sessions, digital documentation and feedback tools, and an expanded set of activities, including options for the upper body. ConclusionLifestyle-integrated approaches such as wLiFE55+ show promise for supporting functional capacity and promoting physical activity among older employees. Embedding activities into routine work tasks may help overcome common limitations of traditional workplace physical activity interventions. Future refinements should include improved preparatory guidance, greater environmental fit, and longer program durations to facilitate habit formation and sustainable implementation.