Uitbranding se verband met lewenstyl en fisieke aktiwiteit by swart manlike bestuurslui

Abstract

Research on managers in the South African corporate sector indicated that the working environment is not always beneficial for the good psycho-emotional health of the manager (Van der Linde, 1998:50; Le Roux, 1999:51 ; Schlebusch, 2000:40), and that 70% of the executive managers in South Africa have already been exposed to high levels of stress because of their work (Slabbert, 1994: 10). Several studies have already reported the benefits of regular physical activity and a healthy lifestyle on the burnout status of managers (Van Zyl, 1993:39; Marayama & Morimoto, 1996;354; Le Roux, 1999:57; Schlebusch, 2000:48). In this respect it became clear that participation in physical activity may decrease the risk of burnout through it's likely buffering effect against the negative effects of stress (Tucker et al. , 1986:960; Dickman, 1988:70; Rippe, 1989:23; Weinstein, 1989:22; Selye, 1993:10; Dreyer, 1996 :81 ; Schlebusch, 2000:50). An improvement of a healthy lifestyle through exercise is implied (Sweeting, 1990:61). The objective of this study was firstly to determine the profiles of burnout, lifestyle and physical activity of black male managers in South Africa (see article one). One hundred and forty three (143) black male executives from different companies all over South Africa participated in this study. The degree of burnout and lifestyle habits were determined by using the Pines burnout-scale (1981) and the Belloc end Breslow (1972) index (BB) respectively. The type, intensity, frequency and duration of participation in physical activity were determined by the physical activity index (PAI) as suggested by Sharkey (1984). Analysis of the data indicated that the black management's burnout score can be classified as low, but trends existed which may be indicative of future health deterioration, should the lifestyle and attitudes of the management remain unchanged. The majority of the black managers, however were found to be physically

moderately inactive and they displayed a moderate lifestyle. This is probably the result of the global trend that physical activity participation declines with urbanization, causing an increase in hypokinetic ailments. Secondly, the participants (143) were analysed to determine whether there were any significant differences (p~0.05) between burnout, lifestyle and physical activity (see article two). Analyses of data indicated no significant differences (p>0.05) between burnout and lifestyle as well as between burnout and physical activity. A multiple regression analyses indicated a significant relationship between the type of industry, exercise, weight maintenance and burnout. This study seems to indicate that the black male manager in the company operates in a danger zone regarding his physical inactivity and unhealthy lifestyle. The result of this way of living is probably already reflected in the average of 38% of the managers reporting bad health. This situation can be improved by implementation of physical activity intervention programs, which can be beneficial for the company in the long-term.