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Amatori S, Ferri Marini C, Gobbi E, Sisti D, Giombini G, Rombaldoni R, Rocchi MBL, Lucertini F, Federici A, Perroni F, Calcagnini G. Short High-Intensity Interval Exercise for Workplace-Based Physical Activity Interventions: A Systematic Review on Feasibility and Effectiveness. Sports Med 2023; 53:887-901. [PMID: 36840913 PMCID: PMC10036456 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-023-01821-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Workplace exercise interventions showed good results, but lack of time was often reported as a barrier to participation. To overcome this problem, several studies attempted to implement short high-intensity interval training (HIT) within the workplace. OBJECTIVES The aim of this systematic review is to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of HIT interventions within the workplace setting. DATA SOURCES A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and SPORTDiscus to identify articles related to HIT within the workplace. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Only interventions that consisted of HIT programmes within the workplace and tested at least one physiological, psychological, or work-related outcome were included. RESULTS Seven studies (317 participants) met the inclusion criteria. HIT interventions lasted 6-12 weeks, with a frequency of 2-4 sessions/week and a duration of 8-30 min per session. Feasibility was qualitatively investigated in four studies, with key positive aspects reported for HIT time-appeal, the sense of competence driven by individual intensity, and improved intention to exercise; five studies reported adherence rates > 80%. Small-to-large effect sizes were reported for improvements in cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness. Small-to-medium effect sizes were reported for blood parameters and health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS HIT interventions in the workplace showed limited effectiveness in improving health-related outcomes, while promising results regarding feasibility were reported, mainly due to the time-efficiency and the positive post-exercise psychosocial responses. However, further high-quality studies involving more participants are still needed to make firm conclusions on HIT effectiveness and feasibility compared to other types of exercise in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Amatori
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Dell'Annunziata 4, 61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - Carlo Ferri Marini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Dell'Annunziata 4, 61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - Erica Gobbi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Dell'Annunziata 4, 61029, Urbino, Italy.
| | - Davide Sisti
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Dell'Annunziata 4, 61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - Germana Giombini
- Department of Economics, Social Science, and Politics, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Rosalba Rombaldoni
- Department of Economics, Social Science, and Politics, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Marco B L Rocchi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Dell'Annunziata 4, 61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - Francesco Lucertini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Dell'Annunziata 4, 61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - Ario Federici
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Dell'Annunziata 4, 61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Perroni
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Dell'Annunziata 4, 61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - Giorgio Calcagnini
- Department of Economics, Social Science, and Politics, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
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Predictors of Health Promotion Behaviors Among Working Adults at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome. Nurs Res 2022; 71:275-284. [PMID: 35171127 DOI: 10.1097/nnr.0000000000000587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic syndrome has a high global prevalence, affecting 26% of South Koreans. Lifestyle modifications have shown benefits in studies involving health behavior enhancement, specifically through workplace eating and exercise interventions. However, workplace interventions focusing on health behaviors have been inadequately explored. OBJECTIVES This study examined factors affecting health promotion behaviors of workers at high risk of metabolic syndrome by applying Theory of Planned Behavior constructs (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and intention). METHODS This correlational cross-sectional study collected survey data from 164 hotel workers in South Korea. The study applied factor analysis and structural equation modeling for the data analysis. RESULTS Analysis revealed five health promotion behaviors: exercise, making healthy food choices, avoiding fatty foods, eating a nutritious and balanced diet, and eating regular moderate meals. Participants were grouped as total participants, those with one risk factor and those with two risk factors. In the total group, four behaviors were influenced by perceived behavioral control: exercise, making healthy food choices, eating a nutritious and balanced diet, and eating regular moderate meals. In the one risk factor group, intention and attitude influenced the eating regular moderate meals behavior, and two other behaviors were influenced by perceived behavioral control: exercise and eating a nutritious and balanced diet; in the two risk factors group, only perceived behavioral control directly affected exercise. DISCUSSION Perceived behavioral control was a key predictor of health behaviors, and theory constructs partially explained behaviors. Perceived behavioral control influenced four behaviors and influenced exercise in all three groups. Also, theory constructs showed a greater effect on behaviors in the one risk factor group than in the two risk factor group, indicating that participants with one risk factor more effectively managed their behaviors on their own and with health care providers' support. Occupational health providers should conduct early assessments of workers showing metabolic syndrome risk factors to identify their particular risks, intention, and behaviors. As the number of risk factors affects behaviors and perceived behavioral control primarily influences exercise, these findings should be incorporated in metabolic syndrome interventions.
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Lucini D, Pagani E, Capria F, Galliano M, Marchese M, Cribellati S. Evidence of Better Psychological Profile in Working Population Meeting Current Physical Activity Recommendations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18178991. [PMID: 34501580 PMCID: PMC8430491 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18178991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) may improve health, productivity and safety and reduce absenteeism. However, although desirable, it is difficult to design tailored (and thus effective) WHP programs, particularly in small-medium companies, which rarely have access to sufficient economic and organizational resources. In this study, 1305 employees filled out an online anonymous lifestyle questionnaire hosted on the website of a non-profit organization, which aims to promote a healthy lifestyle among workers. The data show gender differences regarding stress perception and, in the working population meeting current physical activity recommendations (threshold = 600 MET·min/week), they point out the evidence of a better psychological and nutrition profile, a perception of better job performance, and improved sleep and health quality. Moreover, a unitary index (ranging from 0-100 (with higher scores being healthier)), combining self-reported metrics for diet, exercise and stress, was significantly higher in active employees (67.51 ± 12.46 vs. 39.84 ± 18.34, p < 0.001). The possibility of assessing individual lifestyle in an easy, timely and cost-effective manner, offers the opportunity to collect grouped data useful to drive tailored WHP policies and to have metric to quantify results of interventions. This potentiality may help in creating effective programs and in improving employees' and companies' motivation and attitude towards a feasible WHP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Lucini
- BIOMETRA Department, University of Milan, 20129 Milan, Italy
- Exercise Medicine Unit, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, 20135 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +39-02-619-112-808
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Howarth A, Quesada J, Silva J, Judycki S, Mills PR. The impact of digital health interventions on health-related outcomes in the workplace: A systematic review. Digit Health 2018; 4:2055207618770861. [PMID: 29942631 PMCID: PMC6016571 DOI: 10.1177/2055207618770861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of employee health on productivity in the workplace is generally evidenced through absenteeism and presenteeism. Multicomponent worksite health programmes, with significant online elements, have gained in popularity over the last two decades, due in part to their scalability and low cost of implementation. However, little is known about the impact of digital-only interventions on health-related outcomes in employee groups. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the impact of pure digital health interventions in the workplace on health-related outcomes. METHODS Multiple databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed and PsycINFO, were used to review the literature using PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS Of 1345 records screened, 22 randomized controlled trial studies were found to be eligible. Although there was a high level of heterogeneity across these studies, significant improvements were found for a broad range of outcomes such as sleep, mental health, sedentary behaviours and physical activity levels. Standardized measures were not always used to quantify intervention impact. All but one study resulted in at least one significantly improved health-related outcome, but attrition rates ranged widely, suggesting sustaining engagement was an issue. Risk of bias assessment was low for one-third of the studies and unclear for the remaining ones. CONCLUSIONS This review found modest evidence that digital-only interventions have a positive impact on health-related outcomes in the workplace. High heterogeneity impacted the ability to confirm what interventions might work best for which health outcomes, although less complex health outcomes appeared to be more likely to be impacted. A focus on engagement along with the use of standardized measures and reporting of active intervention components would be helpful in future evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Howarth
- Cigna, Global Well-being Solutions Ltd, UK
- Population Health Research Institute, St George’s, University of London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Peter R Mills
- Cigna, Global Well-being Solutions Ltd, UK
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust, UK
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Lopez-Pascual A, Bes-Rastrollo M, Sayón-Orea C, Perez-Cornago A, Díaz-Gutiérrez J, Pons JJ, Martínez-González MA, González-Muniesa P, Martínez JA. Living at a Geographically Higher Elevation Is Associated with Lower Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: Prospective Analysis of the SUN Cohort. Front Physiol 2017; 7:658. [PMID: 28101063 PMCID: PMC5209344 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Living in a geographically higher altitude affects oxygen availability. The possible connection between environmental factors and the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) feature is not fully understood, being the available epidemiological evidence still very limited. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the longitudinal association between altitude and incidence of MetS and each of its components in a prospective Spanish cohort, The Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) project. Our study included 6860 highly educated subjects (university graduates) free from any MetS criteria at baseline. The altitude of residence was imputed with the postal code of each individual subject residence according to the data of the Spanish National Cartographic Institute and participants were categorized into tertiles. MetS was defined according to the harmonized definition. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association between the altitude of residence and the risk of MetS during follow-up. After a median follow-up period of 10 years, 462 incident cases of MetS were identified. When adjusting for potential confounders, subjects in the highest category of altitude (>456 m) exhibited a significantly lower risk of developing MetS compared to those in the lowest tertile (<122 m) of altitude of residence [Model 2: Hazard ratio = 0.75 (95% Confidence interval: 0.58–0.97); p for trend = 0.029]. Living at geographically higher altitude was associated with a lower risk of developing MetS in the SUN project. Our findings suggest that geographical elevation may be an important factor linked to metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaya Lopez-Pascual
- Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of NavarraPamplona, Spain; Centre for Nutrition Research, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of NavarraPamplona, Spain
| | - Maira Bes-Rastrollo
- IDISNA Navarra's Health Research InstitutePamplona, Spain; CIBERobn Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Centre of Biomedical Research Network, ISCIIIMadrid, Spain; Department Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of NavarraPamplona, Spain
| | - Carmen Sayón-Orea
- Department Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra Pamplona, Spain
| | - Aurora Perez-Cornago
- Department Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of NavarraPamplona, Spain; Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of OxfordOxford, UK
| | - Jesús Díaz-Gutiérrez
- Department Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra Pamplona, Spain
| | - Juan J Pons
- IDISNA Navarra's Health Research InstitutePamplona, Spain; Department History, Art History, and Geography, University of NavarraPamplona, Spain
| | - Miguel A Martínez-González
- IDISNA Navarra's Health Research InstitutePamplona, Spain; CIBERobn Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Centre of Biomedical Research Network, ISCIIIMadrid, Spain; Department Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of NavarraPamplona, Spain
| | - Pedro González-Muniesa
- Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of NavarraPamplona, Spain; Centre for Nutrition Research, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of NavarraPamplona, Spain; IDISNA Navarra's Health Research InstitutePamplona, Spain; CIBERobn Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Centre of Biomedical Research Network, ISCIIIMadrid, Spain
| | - J Alfredo Martínez
- Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of NavarraPamplona, Spain; Centre for Nutrition Research, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of NavarraPamplona, Spain; IDISNA Navarra's Health Research InstitutePamplona, Spain; CIBERobn Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Centre of Biomedical Research Network, ISCIIIMadrid, Spain
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