Socioecological Factors Associated With Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Among Workers: Using the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model

Knee Extension Exercise Effects on Physiological and Psychophysical Performance: Normal Weight Versus Obese Office Workers

BACKGROUND

Knee extension exercise is useful and practical for obese and overweight people as this form of exercise is effective in minimizing body weight loading on joints and improving the body's physiological function. This study aimed to compare the physiological and psychophysical parameters of office workers while computer-based working in an active workstation equipped with an active footrest (AFR) prototype with a mechanism for performing knee extension exercises in a sitting position, and also to compare the physiological and psychophysical parameters among normal-weight and obese office workers.

METHODS

In this quasi-experimental study, the physiological parameters of heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (EE) (measured with the Fitbit Charge HR smartwatch) were measured in two cross-over random sessions for 32 office workers (16 normal-weight and 16 obese) aged 28 to 50 years (M = 42.72, standard deviation [SD] = 4.37) while performing office tasks in sitting and active workstations (equipped with AFR). Perceived physical exertion, comfort, fatigue, and liking were also measured by rating the participants.

FINDINGS

Short-term activity of the participants with AFR performing computer tasks significantly improved physiological and psychophysical parameters compared with the participants in sitting workstations. However, there was no significant difference in the effect of AFR on physiological and psychophysical parameters between normal-weight and obese participants.

CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATION TO PRACTICE

Given the significant increase in EE and HR resulting from exercise with AFR compared with the conventional workstation, the use of AFR can help office workers achieve the minimum standard of physical activity at their workplace.

A Meta-Analysis of Social Ecological Correlates of Physical Activity Among Koreans

From the viewpoint of behavioral medicine, analyzing various factors that determine physical activity (PA) is necessary to promote PA participation. In this study we aimed to identify the impact of constructs within the social ecological model (SEM) on PA within the Korean population. We reviewed journal articles and dissertations published between February 2012 and May 2022 in this meta-analysis. We searched the Korean Education Research Information Service (KERIS), Korean Information Service System (KISS), National Digital Library (NDL), PubMed Central (PMC), SCOPUS, and Web of Sciences; and we located 13 studies to include in this review. Collectively, these studies indicated that most SEM constructs were significantly correlated with PA. Self-efficacy was most strongly correlated (0.67), followed by perceived benefits (0.48), quality of exercise facilities (0.37), accessibility of exercise facilities (0.33), friend support (0.29), and family support (0.23). These data provide practical information for basing a PA promotion strategy on SEM to enhance community health through behavioral psychology.