Effects of an 8-Week Outdoor Brisk Walking Program on Fatigue in Hi-Tech Industry Employees: A Randomized Control Trial

Betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung (BGF) im Laufe der Zeit

Hintergrund

Zur Qualitätssicherung und Weiterentwicklung von BGF-Maßnahmen (betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung) ist es von Interesse, einen Überblick über wissenschaftlich untersuchte BGF-Maßnahmen in den letzten zwei Jahrzehnten zu erlangen.

Zielsetzung

Wissenschaftlich evaluierte BGF-Maßnahmen aus den Jahren 2000–2020 werden mithilfe der in der Praxis durch den GKV-Spitzenverband eingesetzten Themenfelder auf die thematischen Entwicklungen, den Nutzen, aber auch die Schwächen für die Übertragbarkeit in die Praxis hin analysiert.

Methode

Eine systematische Literaturrecherche für den Publikationszeitraum zwischen 2000 und 2020 wurde in zwei elektronischen Datenbanken durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse

Die Einschlusskriterien erfüllten 41 Artikel. Die meisten der in den Studien durchgeführten und evaluierten BGF-Maßnahmen waren keine Einzelmaßnahmen, sondern stellten Programme dar. In ihnen wurden mehrere Themenfelder gleichzeitig adressiert. Insgesamt zeigten sich die in den Studien untersuchten BGF-Maßnahmen sehr heterogen. Zum Ende des Untersuchungszeitraumes nahm die Anzahl an Publikationen zu.

Schlussfolgerung

Die im Leitfaden Prävention vorgegebenen BGF-Themenfelder sind bis auf ein Themenfeld ausgewogen vertreten. Die Studien zu den BGF-Maßnahmen sind bezogen auf die Verständlichkeit der angewendeten Didaktik und Methodik oft nur eingeschränkt nachvollziehbar und somit schwer in die organisationale Praxis übertragbar.

Ergogenic Effects of Green Tea Combined with Isolated Soy Protein on Increasing Muscle Mass and Exercise Performance in Resistance-Trained Mice

It is well known that supplementation with high protein after exercise can effectively promote muscle synthesis and repair, while green tea is rich in catechins that have antioxidant effects. We aimed to explore the effects of green tea combined with isolated soy protein on increase muscle mass in resistance-trained mice. A total of 32 male ICR mice (8-weeks old) were divided into four groups (n = 8/group), sedentary control group (SC), isolated soy protein with green tea group (ISPG), resistance training group (RT), isolated soy protein and green tea combine with resistance training group (ISPG + RT). All mice received control or ISPG by oral gavage for four consecutive weeks. Forelimb grip and exhaustive swimming time were used for exercise performance evaluation. In biochemical profile, we analyzed lactate, ammonia, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and glucose and muscle damage index creatine kinase (CK) after exercise as biochemical parameters of exercise fatigue. The grip strength, muscular endurance, and exhaustive swimming time of the ISPG + RT group were significantly increased than other groups (p < 0.05), and also significantly decreased in serum lactate and ammonia levels (p < 0.05, respectively). The ISP + RT group was not only increased in quadriceps weight, (p < 0.05) but also decreased EFP (p < 0.05). We recommend using a 4-week supplementation with ISPG, combined with RT, to increase muscle mass, exercise performance, glycogen storage, and reduce fatigue biochemical parameters after exercise. The benefits of long-term supplementation or application to human supplementation can be further explored in the future.

Impact of Different Types of Physical Activity in Green Urban Space on Adult Health and Behaviors: A Systematic Review

This systematic review aimed to investigate the type of physical activity carried out in green urban spaces by the adult population and to value its impact on the population’s health. Additionally, another purpose was to examine if the presence of outdoor gyms in green urban spaces can promote participation in physical activity among adults. Searches of electronic databases, with no time restrictions and up to June 2020, resulted in 10 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. A quantitative assessment is reported as effect size. Many people practiced walking activity as a workout, which showed improvements in health. Walking is the most popular type of training due to its easy accessibility and it not requiring equipment or special skills. Outdoor fitness equipment has been installed in an increasing number of parks and has become very popular worldwide. Further, outdoor fitness equipment provides free access to fitness training and seems to promote physical activity in healthy adults. However, other studies about outdoor fitness equipment efficiency are needed. People living near to equipped areas are more likely to perform outdoor fitness than those who live further away. The most common training programs performed in green urban spaces included exercises with free and easy access, able to promote physical health and perception.

Effect of frequent interruptions of prolonged sitting on self-perceived levels of energy, mood, food cravings and cognitive function

Background

While physical activity has been shown to improve cognitive performance and well-being, office workers are essentially sedentary. We compared the effects of physical activity performed as (i) one bout in the morning or (ii) as microbouts spread out across the day to (iii) a day spent sitting, on mood and energy levels and cognitive function.

Methods

In a randomized crossover trial, 30 sedentary adults completed each of three conditions: 6 h of uninterrupted sitting (SIT), SIT plus 30 min of moderate-intensity treadmill walking in the morning (ONE), and SIT plus six hourly 5-min microbouts of moderate-intensity treadmill walking (MICRO). Self-perceived energy, mood, and appetite were assessed with visual analog scales. Vigor and fatigue were assessed with the Profile of Mood State questionnaire. Cognitive function was measured using a flanker task and the Comprehensive Trail Making Test. Intervention effects were tested using linear mixed models.

Results

Both ONE and MICRO increased self-perceived energy and vigor compared to SIT (p < 0.05 for all). MICRO, but not ONE, improved mood, decreased levels of fatigue and reduced food cravings at the end of the day compared to SIT (p < 0.05 for all). Cognitive function was not significantly affected by condition.

Conclusions

In addition to the beneficial impact of physical activity on levels of energy and vigor, spreading out physical activity throughout the day improved mood, decreased feelings of fatigue and affected appetite. Introducing short bouts of activity during the workday of sedentary office workers is a promising approach to improve overall well-being at work without negatively impacting cognitive performance.

Trial registration

NCT02717377, registered 22 March 2016.