Occupational self-efficacy among marathoners from software industry

The present study attempts to explore the occupational self-efficacy among marathoners and non-runners from software industry. A sample of 60 marathoners and 40 non-runners working in technical profiles was selected from Pune, Mumbai and Bangalore. This Sample was selected through personal interaction and online survey. Marathoners with minimum 2 years of running experience & completion of at least one full marathon were selected. Non-runners were technical professionals with sedentary lifestyle. Occupational Self-Efficacy Scale by Pethe, Chaudhari, and Dhar (1999) was used as an assessment tool. The data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics, ’t’ test, and correlation method. Marathoners scored higher on occupational self-efficacy than non-runners. Marathoners scored higher on sub-factors including confidence, adaptability, command and personal effectiveness. Both groups scored normal on occupational self-efficacy scale and all sub-factors. Qualitative data showed that regular running and participation in marathon helped marathoners on various behavioural issues. Remarkable improvement in emotional stability, reduction in anger/aggression, improved sociability and decrease in risky behaviour. It had been observed that inadequacy in terms of achievement at workplace provoked few marathoners to compensate it by participating in various marathons. Thus, this piece of research serves as guideline to software industry that running helps in improving occupational self-efficacy as well as coping with daily stress and emotions related issues at the workplace. Thus, by encouraging employees to pursue scientific form of running, productivity can be improved as a healthy employee is the best performing employee.