Development Strategy of Leisure Sports to Improve Physical Fitness for Employees of the Small and Medium Enterprises in Fuzhou City DOI:

Abstract

Background and Aim: In China, with the importance attached to public health, economic development, and social integration, more importance is accorded to the field of leisure sports. National policy initiatives include "Healthy China 2030" in creating conditions for easy access to physical fitness activities and implementation of projects on improving employee health in various industries, with particular emphasis on SMEs. The research aims of this paper are （1）to study the current situation of physical fitness of employees in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Fuzhou City. (2) to develop a strategy of leisure sports to improve physical fitness for employees of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Fuzhou city. (3)to evaluate the feasibility of the leisure sport strategy aiming at improving the physical fitness of employees in SMEs in Fuzhou city, to find the shortcomings in the strategy and to further improve the strategy.

Materials and Methods: This study adopts the R&D research method. A mixed-method approach was adopted, involving 400 SME employees and 10 leaders in Fuzhou City. Data collection was done through document analysis, surveys, and interviews, while there was a two-month experimental program for 54 participants. From the quantitative and qualitative data analysis, strategic interventions were developed by using the SWOT and TOWS frameworks.

Results: The results of this study found that: (1) The current state of employee leisure sports in Fuzhou City’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reveals 8 strengths, 6 weaknesses, 10 opportunities, and 5 threats. These findings highlight that while SMEs offer supportive policies and access to sports facilities, areas such as equipment funding, professional guidance, and dedicated sports venues still need improvement; (2) In response to the analysis of employee leisure sports participation in Fuzhou SMEs, this study proposes 4 SO strategies, 4 ST strategies, 4 WO strategies, and 4 WT strategies. These strategies focus on enhancing health management, securing sponsorships, expanding employee access to sports facilities, improving feedback systems, and providing necessary equipment and guidance; (3) After experimenting, the data from the t-test found that these strategies are very feasible and meet current needs, but some strategies need to be further integrated. The final recommendations include 3 priority SO strategies, 3 ST strategies, 2 WO strategies, and 3 WT strategies, which aim to increase employee engagement, reduce self-financing expenses, optimize resource allocation, and strengthen safety measures.

Conclusion: In general, Fuzhou City's small and medium-sized enterprises possess strong potential for promoting employee leisure sports, with supportive policies and accessible sports resources. However, these resources have not yet been fully optimized or utilized to their full potential. If the development strategies proposed in this study are implemented, they are expected to enhance employee engagement in leisure sports, improve overall physical fitness, and contribute to the sustainable development of workplace health and wellness programs in Fuzhou’s SMEs.