Device-measured physical activity, sedentary behaviour and cardiometabolic health and fitness across occupational groups: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Structural and functional cardiac parameters across occupations: a cross-sectional study in differing work environments

Previous investigations have highlighted notable variations in cardiovascular risk indicators associated with various professional categories. However, only a few studies have examined structural and functional cardiac parameters using echocardiography within distinct occupational groups. Hence, this study endeavored to assess cardiac structural and functional parameters in three additional occupations: firefighters (FFs), police officers (POs), and office workers (OWs). This prospective study encompassed 197 male participants (97 FFs, 54 POs, and 46 OWs) from Germany. All participants underwent 2D and Doppler echocardiography in resting conditions; standard parasternal and apical axis views were employed to evaluate structural (diastolic and systolic) and functional (systolic and diastolic function, and strain) cardiac parameters. All three occupational groups exhibited a tendency towards septal hypertrophy. Notably, OWs exhibited the largest diastolic interventricular septum diameter (IVSd), at 1.33 ± 0.25 cm. IVSd significantly varied between POs and OWs (p = 0.000) and between POs and FFs (p = 0.025). Additionally, during diastole a substantially larger left ventricular posterior wall diameter (LVPWd) was observed in OWs compared to FFs (p = 0.001) and POs (p = 0.013). The left ventricular diastolic cavity diameter (LVIDd) and the left ventricular systolic cavity diameter (LVIDs) were significantly higher in POs than they were in FFs (LVIDd: p = 0.001; LVIDs: p = 0.009), and the LVIDd was notably higher in FFs (p = 0.015) and POs compared to OWs (p = 0.000). FFs exhibited significantly better diastolic function, indicated by higher diastolic peak velocity ratios (MV E/A ratio) and E/E' ratios, compared to POs (E/A ratio: p = 0.025; E/E' ratio: p = 0.014). No significant difference in diastolic performance was found between OWs and FFs. Significantly higher E'(lateral) values were noted in POs compared to FFs (p = 0.003) and OWs (p = 0.004). Ejection fraction did not significantly differ among FFs, POs, and OWs (p > 0.6). The left ventricular mass (LV Mass) was notably higher in POs than it was in FFs (p = 0.039) and OWs (p = 0.033). Strain parameter differences were notably improved in two- (p = 0.006) and four-chamber (p = 0.018) views for FFs compared to POs. Concentric remodeling was the predominant change observed in all three occupational groups. Significant differences in the presence of various forms of hypertrophy were observed in FFs, POs, and OWs (exact Fisher test p-values: FFs vs. OWs = 0.021, POs vs. OWs = 0.002). OWs demonstrated notably higher rates of concentric remodeling than FFs did (71.77% vs. 47.9%). This study underscores disparities in both functional and structural parameters in diverse occupational groups. Larger prospective studies are warranted to investigate and delineate differences in structural and functional cardiac parameters across occupational groups, and to discern their associated effects and risks on the cardiovascular health of these distinct professional cohorts.

Prospective associations of occupational and leisure-time physical activity with risk of diabetes: a cohort study from the United States

OBJECTIVES

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) can reduce the risk of incident diabetes, whereas the role of occupational physical activity (OPA) in developing diabetes is still unclear due to conflicting evidence. Moreover, the joint associations of OPA and LTPA with incident diabetes among US workers have not yet been systematically examined. The objective of this study was to assess the independent and joint associations of OPA and LTPA with incident diabetes.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included 1406 workers free from diabetes at baseline (2004-2006) from the national, population-based Mid-life in the United States (MIDUS) study. Associations of OPA and LTPA at baseline with incident diabetes during 9 years of follow-up were examined using Poisson regression models. High OPA was defined based on engagement in physical demands at work, and high LTPA was defined as participation in moderate or vigorous LTPA at least once per week.

RESULTS

High OPA was associated with an increased risk of diabetes compared to low OPA (adjusted risk ratios and 95% confidence interval = 1.52 [1.04, 2.22]), while high LTPA was associated with a decreased risk of diabetes compared to low LTPA (0.66 [0.44, 0.97]). Diabetes risk was the highest among workers with high OPA and low LTPA (2.30 [1.30, 4.07]).

CONCLUSIONS

In a national, population-based prospective cohort study of US workers, high OPA was associated with an elevated risk of diabetes, while high LTPA was associated with a decreased diabetes risk. The combination of high OPA and low LTPA exhibited the greatest risk of diabetes.

Effects of a Remote Physical Activity Improvement Program on Male Office Workers with Metabolic Syndrome in Their 30s and 40s with Sedentary Behavior: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

Sedentary office workers lack physical activity and have a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study attempted to develop a remote physical activity improvement program for sedentary office workers and verify its effectiveness by applying it to male workers in their 30s and 40s with MetS.

METHODS

This study used a randomized control group pretest-posttest design, and the study sample was 75 male workers recruited from an information and technology company. They were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 38) or control (n = 37) group. The remote physical activity improvement program was constructed based on the self-regulation theory emphasizing autonomy, and was conducted through non-face-to-face Zoom once a week for a total of 12 weeks. Health education, exercise training, small group meetings, and individual counseling were provided, and tailored text messages were sent to participants every day to encourage them to reflect on their lifestyle and practice exercise.

RESULTS

The remote physical activity program significantly increased basic psychological needs (Z = -7.55, p < .001), intrinsic motivation (Z = -6.94, p < .001), health promotion behavior, (Z = -6.63, p < .001), and physical and physiological indicators (p < .05) in the intervention group compared to those in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

In managing MetS among office workers, it was found that remote education using the Zoom platform was effective, even during the coronavirus pandemic. As a strategy for health education in the workplace, remote education content needs to be developed and applied.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Research Information Service, KCT0009322.

Regulatory and Ethical Considerations on Artificial Intelligence for Occupational Medicine

Generative artificial intelligence and Large Language Models are reshaping labor dynamics and occupational health practices. As AI continues to evolve, there's a critical need to customize ethical considerations for its specific impacts on occupational health. Recognizing potential ethical challenges and dilemmas, stakeholders and physicians are urged to proactively adjust the practice of occupational medicine in response to shifting ethical paradigms. By advocating for a comprehensive review of the International Commission on Occupational Health ICOH code of Ethics, we can ensure responsible medical AI deployment, safeguarding the well-being of workers amidst the transformative effects of automation in healthcare.

Sedentary time at school and work in Canada

OBJECTIVES

High levels of sedentary time (ST) are associated with poor physical and mental health. Given that Canadians spend a large portion of their days at school and work, they may be important targets for reducing ST. Our objectives are to estimate the daily amount of school and work ST among Canadians, examine differences by subgroups, and determine associations with health.

METHODS

Using the 2020 Canadian Community Health Survey Healthy Living Rapid Response module (N = 5242), the amount of time spent sitting while at school and work was estimated among youth (12-17 years) and adults (18-34 and 35-64 years). Differences by sociodemographics and 24-Hour Movement Guideline adherence were assessed with independent t-tests. Associations between school and work ST and health indicators were assessed using adjusted logistic regression.

RESULTS

Canadian youth aged 12-17 years and adults aged 18-34 years reported an average of 4.5 and 5.2 h/day of school ST, respectively. Adults 18-34 years and 35-64 years reported an average of 3.9 and 4.0 h/day of work ST, respectively. School and work ST differed within several subgroups. Among adults 18-34 years, higher school ST was associated with a reduced odds of 'excellent/very good' mental health, whereas higher work ST was associated with a greater likelihood of reporting 'excellent/very good' general health.

CONCLUSION

Canadian youth and working-age adults report an average of 4-5 h/day sedentary at school or work. This is the first study estimating school and work ST in a representative sample of Canadians and will aid in increasing awareness of setting-specific behaviours to better inform targeted interventions including addressing inequalities in ST.

Active time at work following the introduction of a standing and a cycling workstation into worker's office space

Objectives. Active workstations have been proposed to counteract sedentary behavior at work. This study describes office workers' use of and perceptions toward standing and cycling workstations, and assesses whether the two active workstations were sufficient to break sitting time and replace it with 2-4 h of light activity per workday. Methods. This mixed-method study utilized video recording, semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire. The quantitative data covered time spent sitting, standing and on a cycling workstation. The qualitative data were analyzed based on preferences, barriers and facilitators. Results. Participants (n = 15) used active workstations 125.3 (74.5) min/day and spent 79.0 (63.6) min/day using standing versus 46.3 (47.6) min/day using cycling workstations (p = 0.153, d = 0.58). Following the interviews, the standing workstation was preferred over cycling. The ergonomics of the cycling workstation were not optimal and caused discomfort in use. Seven participants broke their sitting time and accumulated 2+ h of light physical activity per workday. Those participants meeting recommendations were older, had a higher body fat percentage and engaged in less physical activity per week. Conclusion. With a preference for standing workstations, our results showed that 47% of workers used standing and cycling workstations to accumulate 2+ h of active time per day.

The relationship between general practitioner movement behaviours with burnout and fatigue

BACKGROUND

Physical inactivity is associated with feelings of burnout and fatigue, which in turn are associated with reduced performance among healthcare practitioners. This study explored movement behaviours of general practitioners (GPs) and the association between these behaviours with burnout and fatigue.

METHODS

GPs in Northern Ireland were asked to wear a thigh-worn accelerometer for seven days and complete validated questionnaires to assess the association between daily number of steps, time spent sitting and standing with feelings of burnout and fatigue.

RESULTS

Valid accelerometer data were obtained from 47 (77.0%) participants. Average workday sitting time, standing time and number of steps were 10.6 h (SD 1.5), 3.8 h (SD 1.3), and 7796 steps (SD 3116) respectively. Participants were less sedentary (8.0 h (SD 1.6)) and more active (4.7 h (SD 1.4) standing time and 12,408 steps (SD 4496)) on non-workdays. Fourteen (30.4%) participants reported burnout and sixteen (34.8%) reported severe fatigue. There were no significant associations between sitting, standing and step counts with burnout or fatigue (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

GPs were less active on workdays compared to non-workdays and exhibited high levels of sitting. Feelings of burnout and fatigue were highly prevalent, however movement behaviours were not found to be associated with burnout and fatigue. Given the increased sedentariness among GPs on workdays compared to non-workdays, GPs should consider how they can improve their movement behaviours on workdays to help optimise their wellbeing.

A Systematic Review of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Patterns in an Osteoarthritic Population

OBJECTIVE

To explore physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors (SB) in individuals with lower limb (LL) Osteoarthritis (OA) and the influence of age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) on these behaviors.

DESIGN

Systematic review search: PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, and CINAHL databases were searched from inception until July 2023. Study criteria: Studies that reported quantifiable device-based or self-reported data for PA and SB variables in adults clinically diagnosed with LL OA were included.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A synthesis of PA and SB levels for those diagnosed with LL OA and the influence age, sex, and BMI have on these behaviors.

RESULTS

From the 1930 studies identified through the electronic search process, 48 met the inclusion criteria. PA guidelines were met by 33% of the sample population that measured moderate and moderate to vigorous PA. No studies reported 75 minutes per week or more of vigorous PA. Additionally, 58% of the population reporting SB were sedentary for 8 hours per day or more. Also, increasing age, BMI, and the female sex were identified as negative influences on PA levels. There were numerous methodological inconsistencies in how data were collected and reported, such as various activity monitor cut points for PA and SB bout duration.

CONCLUSION

Adults with LL OA may be at an increased risk of noncommunicable diseases due to low PA and high SB levels. It is important to consider age, sex, and BMI when investigating behavior patterns in those with LL OA.

Prevalence of Risk Factors for Hypertension Among Faculty at an Urban University in Uganda

Purpose

Hypertension is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many people however are not aware of their possession of risk factors for hypertension. There is a paucity of literature in Uganda describing the risk profile of faculty at public universities. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension risk factors among university teaching staff.

Methods

This study was conducted among faculty at Makerere University in Uganda. The modified World Health Organization STEP-wise approach for non-communicable disease surveillance was used in data collection. Hypertension was defined as having a systolic blood pressure of ≥140mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure of ≥90mmHg, or being on antihypertensive medications. Participants were enrolled from the faculty lists by proportionate to size systematic sampling until the sample size for each college was obtained. Data was collected from January to March 2018. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with hypertension.

Results

A total of 141 participants were recruited into the study. The prevalent risk factors for hypertension include physical inactivity (78.7%), overweight (46.8%), obesity (20.6%), addition of extra salt to food (46.8%), current alcohol consumption (33.3%), history of smoking (10.6%), inadequate fruit and vegetable servings per day (100%), family history of hypertension (40.4%) and a family history of diabetes (22.7%). Hypertension was prevalent at 26.2% (95% CI 18.94-33.46%). The risk factors significantly associated with hypertension included a family history of hypertension (p=0.009), obesity (p=0.008) and male gender (p = 0.029).

Conclusion

The prevalence of known hypertension risk factors among university teaching staff in urban Uganda is high. Majority of these risk factors are modifiable highlighting the need for continuous screening as well as introduction of prevention and health promotion strategies to reduce the risk burden.

Internal but Not External Building Design Associated With More Occupational Physical Activity

BACKGROUND

Few studies have explored the impact of internal building design features on physical activity. The purpose of this study is to determine building design features associate with physical activity and sedentary behaviors.

METHODS

Full-time workers (n = 114) wore an ActivPal monitor for 4 work days to measure physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Participants completed a 25-item survey about the presence of external, internal, and staircase design features at their worksite. Participants also reported their desk type. General linear models were used to examine relations between the number of features present for each category and physical activity (steps per hour) and sedentary behavior (sitting time per hour).

RESULTS

Internal design scores were positively associated with occupational physical activity. Each single item increase in facilitating internal design features was associated with +64.5 steps/hr (p = .045) at work. Workers who reported having a desk job walked 538 fewer steps/hr (p < .01) and sat 17 min more/hr at work than workers who reported not having a desk.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that internal design features can promote more movement and less sitting at work. Future studies that examine the longitudinal effect of changing internal design features on occupational physical activity and sedentary behaviors are warranted.

Home office shift and sedentary behaviour in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic: descriptives and related socioecological correlates

COVID-19 working restrictions resulted in a location shift of white-collar workers into their home office (HO). Little is known about how the proportion of HO affects sitting and physical activity (PA) behaviour during working hours, and potential correlates are not well understood. A cross-sectional sample of currently working adults in HO (n = 575) completed questionnaires regarding HO proportion before and during the pandemic, work-related sitting and PA, and socioecological factors regarding HO sitting time. The reported HO proportion increased by 46.7 ± 40.6% during COVID-19 working restrictions. Workday sitting proportion correlates positively with HO proportion. The regression model identified gender, education level, working hours, working environment to stand during work, and transport and leisure PA as correlates of the workday sitting proportion in HO. This study provides findings that high HO proportions are related to higher work-related sitting times and adds insights into possible correlates of sitting time in HO.Practitioner summary: Working in the home office (HO) is a common characteristic of flexible work in white-collar workers. This study found that the workday sitting proportion correlates positively with HO proportion and identified correlates of the workday sitting in HO. Practitioners should consider the potential impacts of HO on work-related sedentary behaviour in future workplace health promotion.

Using teleconsultation for health aspects of computer-based workers in the new normal situation (post COVID-19) of the world

BACKGROUND

The use of teleconsultation platforms enabling health professionals to provide advice especially in the new normal post COVID-19 situation has increased in both developing and developed countries. This teleconsultation has also expanded beyond that of post COVID-19 application to other purposes such as in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this commentary is to focus on presenting a feasible guide related to physical as well as psychological aspects in relation to computer based workers that could be taught to the computer-based workers using teleconsultation platforms.

METHODS

A multi-criteria search was performed among available guidelines and approaches related to the physical and psychological aspects used for computer-based workers.

RESULTS

A continuation of musculoskeletal pain creates a feedforward loop of pain and distress. Several conventional methods exist to manage musculoskeletal pain, however, the new normal situation following COVID-19 has rendered many of these moot, especially in computer based workers and with the increased reliance on teleconsultation platforms.

CONCLUSIONS

During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals were required to stay home due to varying levels of lockdown protocols and provide their usual services using online platforms both increasing sedentary behaviour in computer based workers and limiting the tools available to health professionals. Following in what is now the worldwide new normal post COVID-19 situation, individuals have adapted and accepted that they receive much of their necessary health advice using teleconsultation platforms as well.

Different sedentary behaviors, genetic susceptibility of hypertension, and new-onset hypertension: Mediating effects of body mass index and grip strength

BACKGROUND

The association between different sedentary behaviors and hypertension risk remains unclear. We aimed to explore the relationship between different domains of sedentary behaviors and new-onset hypertension, investigate whether genetic susceptibility to hypertension modifies the relationship, and examine the extent to which the relationship is mediated by body mass index (BMI) and grip strength.

METHODS

212 714 participants without baseline hypertension in the UK Biobank were enrolled. The three major sedentary behaviors (TV-watching, nonoccupational computer use, and driving) were measured using touch screen questionnaires. The primary outcome was new-onset hypertension.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 11.9 years, 13 983 participants developed hypertension. There was a linear positive association between TV-watching time and new-onset hypertension (p for nonlinearity =0.868). A J-shaped association was found for nonoccupational computer use time and driving time with new-onset hypertension, with an inflection point of 0.5 h/day for both (both p for nonlinearity <0.001). Polygenetic risk scores for hypertension (based on 118 related single-nucleotide polymorphisms) did not significantly modify these associations (all p-interactions >0.05). Furthermore, the detrimental effects of long-term sedentary behaviors on hypertension were mediated by BMI by 21%-30%, and the beneficial effects of limited sitting time (within 0.5 h/day) for driving and nonoccupational computer use were mediated by grip strength by 6-25%.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a positive association for hands-independence sedentary behavior (TV-watching), and a J-shaped association for hands-dependence sedentary behaviors (nonoccupational computer use and driving) with new-onset hypertension, regardless of genetic risks of hypertension. These relationships were partly mediated by BMI and grip strength.

A mixed method evaluation of a theory based intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour in contact centres- the stand up for health stepped wedge feasibility study

INTRODUCTION

Contact centres have higher levels of sedentary behaviour than other office-based workplaces. Stand Up for Health (SUH) is a theory-based intervention developed using the 6SQuID framework to reduce sedentary behaviour in contact centre workers. The aim of this study was to test acceptability and feasibility of implementing SUH in UK contact centres.

METHODS

The study was conducted in 2020-2022 (pre COVID and during lockdown) and used a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial design including a process evaluation. The intervention included working with contact centre managers to develop and implement a customised action plan aligning with SUH's theory of change. Workplace sedentary time, measured using activPAL™ devices, was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included productivity, mental wellbeing, musculoskeletal health and physical activity. Empirical estimates of between-centre standard deviation and within-centre standard deviation of outcomes from pre-lockdown data were calculated to inform sample size calculations for future trials. The process evaluation adopted the RE-AIM framework to understand acceptability and feasibility of implementing the intervention. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with contact centre employees and managers, and activity preferences were collected using a questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 11 contact centres participated: 155 employees from 6 centres in the pre-lockdown data collection, and 54 employees from 5 centres post-lockdown. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 33 employees and managers, and 96 participants completed an intervention activity preference questionnaire. Overall, the intervention was perceived as acceptable and feasible to deliver. Most centres implemented several intervention activities aligned with SUH's theory of change and over 50% of staff participated in at least one activity (pre-lockdown period). Perceived benefits including reduced sedentary behaviour, increased physical activity, and improved staff morale and mood were reported by contact centre employees and managers.

CONCLUSIONS

SUH demonstrates potential as an appealing and acceptable intervention, impacting several wellbeing outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial has been registered on the ISRCTNdatabase: http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN11580369.

Moderators of the Effectiveness of UPcomplish on Office Workers' Sedentary Behaviour, Quality of Life, and Psychosocial Determinants: A Stepped Wedge Design

BACKGROUND

In the earlier developed and evaluated 12-week UPcomplish intervention, the aim was to reduce sedentary behaviour (SB) among office workers and increase their quality of life (QoL). In the current study, we explored moderators of effectiveness.

METHOD

We applied a stepped wedge design with five intervention groups starting with time lags of seven weeks (n = 142, 96 females). Participants wore the VitaBit to continuously measure SB and received surveys about QoL and psychosocial determinants at the beginning, middle, and end of the intervention. We regressed baseline participant characteristics and behaviours onto intra-individual improvements (centred around calendar week means) in determinants, SB, performance objectives, and QoL.

RESULTS

Those scoring high in baseline intention, task performance, stress, vitality, and emotional well-being improved less in these variables. Baseline stress (β =  - 0.05 [SE = 0.01; 95% CI =  - 0.08, - 0.02; pcorrected = .02]) and emotional well-being (β = 0.02 [SE = 0.01; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.03; pcorrected = .02]) were associated with improvement in contextual performance. Baseline attitude (β =  - 12.92 [SE = 3.93; 95% CI =  - 20.80, - 5.04; pcorrected = .02]) and perceived behavioural control (PBC; β =  - 9.27 [SE = 3.04; 95% CI =  - 15.37, - 3.16; pcorrected = .03]) were negatively associated with improvements in emotional well-being. Post hoc analyses with a sub-group scoring lower in determinants revealed that improvement in PBC was positively associated with SB registration.

CONCLUSION

Participants scoring low in baseline determinants might profit from UPcomplish via an increase in PBC. In combination with changes within organizations (e.g. the implementation of standing desks), UPcomplish might potentially reduce SB.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NL7503 - registered 1 February 2019.

Weekday and weekend physical activity patterns and their correlates among young adults

BACKGROUND

Accelerometers enable assessment of within and between day variation in physical activity. The main aim was to examine weekday and weekend physical activity patterns among young adults. Additionally, correlates of the physical activity patterns were examined.

METHODS

Overall 325 adults (mean age 26.0 years, standard deviation 0.03) from the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project used a wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometer continuously for 1 week. Physical activity patterns over weekdays and weekends were identified by using the group-based trajectory modeling. Adolescent leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and sociodemographic characteristics (sex, marital and family status, education, work status, occupation, and health consciousness) were examined as possible correlates of physical activity patterns using multinomial regression analysis.

RESULTS

Five patterns were identified: consistently low activity (45%), active on weekday evenings and weekends (32%), consistently moderate activity (11%), active on weekdays (7%), and consistently high activity (5%). Low adolescent LTPA was associated with consistently low activity pattern in young adulthood. Women were more likely than men to belong in the more physically active groups (all other groups except active on weekdays, odds ratios between 2.26 and 6.17). Those in the active on weekdays group had lower education, were more often in the working life and in manual occupations than those in the consistently low activity group.

CONCLUSIONS

Marked heterogeneity in physical activity patterns across the week was observed among young adults. Especially history of physical activity, sex, education, work status, and occupation were associated with different physical activity patterns.

Correlation analysis between physical activity and depressive tendencies among occupational groups: an isotemporal substitution approach

OBJECTIVES

Sedentary behaviour (SB) and physical activity (PA) have been shown to be associated with depression. However, behaviours, such as PA, occupy a portion of an individual's 24-h day. Thus, an increase in time for one behaviour takes away time from another. Previous evidence suggests that it would be more appropriate to shift the focus to the importance of reallocating time spent in sedentary behaviour to time spent in physical activity. The aim of this study was to analyse the mutual replacement effect of different health behaviours on depressive tendencies by isotemporal substitution modelling (ISM) under the objective condition of considering a limited 24-h day. Second, we aimed to further explore the potential association between excessive or insufficient sleep duration and depressive symptoms.

METHODS

A total of 10656 employees from 79 companies in four provinces of China participated in this survey. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to measure workers' depressive tendencies. The duration of various types of physical activity was self-reported by workers based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). ISM was used to assess the associations of time spent in different activities on displacement of equivalent time spent on other activities with depression risk.

RESULTS

A total of 10656 participants (89.5% of the sample) were included in the analysis. The ISM found that a 30-min unit of SB replaced with walking (OR, 95% CI: 0.83, 0.77-0.88), sleep (≤ 8 h) (OR, 95% CI: 0.77, 0.74-0.79), moderate physical activity (MPA) (OR, 95% CI: 0.87, 0.81-0.93) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) (OR, 95% CI: 0.91, 0.84-0.99) was significantly and negatively associated with the risk of depressive tendencies. When sleep duration was less than 8 h, each additional half hour of sleep time was significantly associated with a lower risk of depressive tendencies, and this association was no longer significant after 8 h.

CONCLUSION

Prolonged SB is common in the current workplace in China. Replacing an average of 30 min per day of SB with VPA and MPA, even walking is associated with less depression among workers. In addition, insufficient daily sleep is also an important risk factor for workers' depressive tendencies. These findings provide valuable evidence to promote mental health among occupational groups and support the development of healthy workplaces.

Moderate physical activity is associated with lower depression, anxiety and stress in health-care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVE

Health-care workers are in high risk for COVID-19 and may experience associated mental health disturbances. Although physical activity (PA) has positive effects on mental disturbances, it has not been fully investigated in health-team during COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we analyzed depression, anxiety and stress in health-care workers, and their relationship with PA before and during a COVID-19 peak.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study. PA (IPAQ short-form) evaluated and associated with depression, anxiety and stress (DAAS-21) at the beginning of COVID-19 first wave in Mexico (April 2020) in 1146 workers of a tertiary-care hospital, and in a subsequent occasion at the first wave peak (July-August/2020) in 311 workers (from the first ones). Data collected from routine surveillance.

RESULTS

Depression increased 9%, anxiety 15%, and stress 10% at the pandemic peak. Subjects with higher frequency of baseline moderate PA showed lower severity of depression, anxiety and stress at the peak (p < 0.05). At the pandemic peak, female sex (OR = 2.42, 95%CI 1.14-5.13), diabetes (OR = 21.9, 95%CI 2.09-221) and baseline depression (OR = 8.86, 95%CI 4.30-18.2) predicted depression; baseline anxiety (OR = 5.52, 95%CI 3.01-10.1), working in COVID-19 area (OR = 4.14, 95%CI 1.99-8.64), and baseline moderate PA (OR = 0.35, 95%CI 0.16-0.73) predicted anxiety; and baseline stress (OR = 8.64, 95%CI 4.11-18.2), and moderate PA (OR = 0.35, 95%CI 0.15-0.82) predicted stress.

CONCLUSION

Depression, stress, and particularly anxiety, increased in health-care workers from the beginning to the COVID-19 pandemic peak, and were predicted by the presence of the corresponding baseline mental alterations, and in the case of anxiety and stress, by the lower frequency of moderate PA.

Insights on physical behavior while working from home: An ecological momentary assessment study

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home (WFH) has emerged as a common alternative work environment, but the possible influence on daily physical behavior (PB) (i.e., physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB)) remains unclear. This study aimed to examine daily associations between PB and the work environment (i.e., WFH, working at the office (WAO)), as well as to explore and identify patterns of PB within each work environment. An observational study using a dual-accelerometer system to continuously assess PB for at least 5 days was conducted. The sample consisted of 55 participants providing 276 days of assessment. Additional demographic, contextual, and psychological variables were measured via baseline questionnaire and several smartphone prompts per day. To analyze the effects of the work environment on PB, multilevel analyses were conducted. For the identification of patterns within each work environment, latent class trajectory modelling was applied. Associations between the work environment and various PA parameters were found, indicating that WFH has a negative effect on MVPA time, steps, and physical activity intensity (MET), but a positive effect on short PA bouts (≤5 min). No associations between the work environment and any SB parameter (i.e., SB time, SB breaks, SB bouts) were found. Latent class trajectory modelling revealed three MVPA patterns for days WFH, and two patterns for days WAO. Given the growing prevalence of WFH and the positive health effects associated with MVPA, daily-tailored solutions to enhance MPVA while WFH are urgently needed.

Occupational physical activity: the good, the bad, and the proinflammatory

Background

Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for preventing several conditions associated with underlying chronic inflammation, e. g., cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. While an active lifestyle appears to have anti-inflammatory effects, high levels of occupational PA (OPA) were associated with inflammation and elevated mortality risks. We aimed to summarize the current knowledge (1) on the association between inflammation and OPA and (2) its implications for health and mortality.

Methods and results

This mini-review summarized relevant literature published before January 2023 using established scientific databases and sources. For the primary outcome, observational studies (S) reporting immunological effects (O) in subjects (P), with high (I) vs. low OPA (C), were included. For secondary outcomes, i.e., morbidity and mortality associated with inflammatory processes, (systematic) reviews were included. While "active" occupations and "moderate" OPA appear to have beneficial effects, low (particularly sedentary) and "high-intensity" OPA (particularly including heavy lifting tasks) were associated with inflammation and (CVD and cancer-related) mortality; higher leisure-time PA has been almost consistently associated with lower proinflammatory markers and all-cause mortality risks. Workplace interventions appear to counter some of the observed health effects of unfavorable work strain.

Conclusion

The few studies addressing OPA "intensity" and inflammatory markers are largely heterogeneous regarding OPA classification and confounder control. Sedentary and "heavy" OPA appear to promote proinflammatory effects. In addition to targeted management of work-related physical strain and hazardous environmental co-factors, occupational health providers should focus on employer-initiated exercise interventions and the promotion of leisure-time PA.

Do Sit-Stand Tables Affect Physical Behavior and Body Composition Similarly in Normal-Weight and Overweight Office Workers? A Pilot Study

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSSedentary behavior is a significant health concern among office workers. We completed the same 6-month sit-stand table intervention at work for groups of normal-weight and overweight workers, and compared it to not having sit-stand tables. The intervention caused the intended decrease in sitting time in both groups and a corresponding increase in standing. We did not find compensation effects on physical behavior outside of work. Furthermore, the intervention did not change the composition of fat, lean, and bone mass in either group. Thus, strategies including initiatives to increase physical activity are likely needed to have effects on body composition; and an intervention needs to be sustained for longer than six months for any changes in body composition to be observed.

Equating NHANES Monitor-Based Physical Activity to Self-Reported Methods to Enhance Ongoing Surveillance Efforts

PURPOSE

Harmonization of assessment methods represents an ongoing challenge in physical activity research. Previous research has demonstrated the utility of calibration approaches to enhance agreement between measures of physical activity. The present study utilizes a calibration methodology to add behavioral context from the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), an established report-based measure, to enhance interpretations of monitor-based data scored using the novel Monitor Independent Movement Summary (MIMS) methodology.

METHODS

Matching data from the GPAQ and MIMS were obtained from adults (20-80 yr of age) assessed in the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. After developing percentile curves for self-reported activity, a zero-inflated quantile regression model was developed to link MIMS to estimates of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) from the GPAQ.

RESULTS

Cross-validation of the model showed that it closely approximated the probability of reporting MVPA across age and activity-level segments, supporting the accuracy of the zero-inflated model component. Validation of the quantile regression component directly corresponded to the 25%, 50%, and 75% values for both men and women, further supporting the model fit.

CONCLUSIONS

This study offers a method of improving activity surveillance by translating accelerometer signals into interpretable behavioral measures using nationally representative data. The model provides accurate estimates of minutes of MVPA at a population level but, because of the bias and error inherent in report-based measures of physical activity, is not suitable for converting or interpreting individual-level data. This study provides an important preliminary step in utilizing information from both device- and report-based methods to triangulate activity related outcomes; however additional measurement error modeling is needed to improve precision.

Does work-related and commuting physical activity predict changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior during the transition to retirement? GPS and accelerometer study

We examined how GPS and accelerometer measured work-related and commuting physical activity contribute to changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior during the retirement transition in the Finnish Retirement and Aging study (n = 118). Lower work-related activity was associated with a decrease in sedentary time and an increase in light physical activity during retirement. Conversely, higher work-related activity was associated with an increase in sedentary time and a decrease in light physical activity, except among those active workers who also were active commuters. Thus, both work-related and commuting physical activity predict changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior when retiring.

Promoting physical activity-related health competence to increase leisure-time physical activity and health-related quality of life in German private sector office workers

BACKGROUND

Office workers (OWs) are at risk of low levels of health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Interventions based on physical activity-related health competence (PAHCO) aim to facilitate long-term changes in HEPA and HRQOL. However, these assumptions rely on the changeability and temporal stability of PAHCO and have not been tested empirically. This study therefore aims to test the changeability and temporal stability of PAHCO in OWs within an interventional design and to examine the effect of PAHCO on leisure-time PA and HRQOL.

METHODS

Three hundred twenty-eight OWs (34% female, 50.4 ± 6.4 years) completed an in-person, three-week workplace health promotion program (WHPP) focusing on PAHCO and HEPA. The primary outcome of PAHCO as well as the secondary outcomes of leisure-time PA and HRQOL were examined at four measurement points over the course of 18 months in a pre-post design by employing linear mixed model regressions.

RESULTS

PAHCO displayed a substantial increase from the baseline to the time point after completion of the WHPP (β = 0.44, p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was no decrease in PAHCO at the first (p = 0.14) and the second follow-up measurement (p = 0.56) compared with the level at the end of the WHPP. In addition, the PAHCO subscale of PA-specific self-regulation (PASR) had a small to moderate, positive effect on leisure-time PA (β = 0.18, p < 0.001) and HRQOL (β = 0.26, p < 0.001). The subscale of control competence for physical training (CCPT) also had a positive small to moderate effect on HRQOL (β = 0.22, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results substantiate PAHCO's theoretical characteristics of changeability and temporal stability, and underline the theoretically postulated effects on leisure-time PA and HRQOL. These findings highlight the potential of PAHCO for intervention development, which can be assumed to foster long-term improvements in HEPA and HRQOL in OWs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was retrospectively registered in the German Clinical Trials Register, which is an approved Primary Register in the WHO network, at the 14/10/2022 (DRKS00030514).

Leisure-time physical activity, occupational physical activity and the physical activity paradox in healthcare workers: A systematic overview of the literature

BACKGROUND

Physical activity positively influences cardiovascular health. Results from male-dominated physically active occupations suggest that a high level of occupational physical activity may be detrimental to cardiovascular health. This observation is referred to as the physical activity paradox. Whether this phenomenon can also be observed in female-dominated occupations remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to provide an overview of (1) leisure-time and occupational physical activity in healthcare workers. Therefore, we reviewed studies (2) to assess the relationship between the two physical activity domains and analyzed (3) their effects on cardiovascular health outcomes in relation to the paradox.

METHODS

Five databases (CINAHAL, PubMed, Scopus, Sportdiscus, Web of Science) were systematically searched. Both authors independently screened the titles, abstracts, and full texts and assessed the quality of the studies using the National Institutes of Health's quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. All studies that assessed leisure-time and occupational physical activity in healthcare workers were included. The two authors independently rated the risk of bias using the ROBINS-E tool. The body of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

The review included 17 studies that assessed the leisure-time and occupational physical activity of people working in healthcare, determined the relationship between the domains (n = 7) and/or examined their effects on the cardiovascular system (n = 5). Measurements for leisure-time and occupational physical activity varied between studies. Leisure-time physical activity typically ranged between low and high intensity, with a short duration (approx. 0.8-1.5 h). Occupational physical activity was typically performed at light to moderate intensity with a very long duration (approx. 0.5-3 h). Moreover, leisure-time and occupational physical activity were almost negatively related. The few studies investigating effects on cardiovascular parameters revealed a rather unfavorable effect of occupational physical activity, while leisure-time physical activity was beneficial. The study quality was rated as fair and the risk of bias was moderate to high. The body of evidence was low.

CONCLUSIONS

This review confirmed that leisure-time and occupational physical activity of healthcare workers are opposed in their duration and intensity. Moreover, leisure-time and occupational physical activity seem to be negatively related and should be analyzed according to their relation to each other in specific occupations. Furthermore, results support the relationship between the paradox and cardiovascular parameters.

REGISTRATION

Preregistered on PROSPERO (CRD42021254572). Date of registration on PROSPERO: 19 May 2021.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Does occupational physical activity adversely affect the cardiovascular health of healthcare workers in comparison to leisure-time physical activity?

Relationship of sleep regularity with device-based sedentary behavior time and physical activity time in working adults

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the association of sleep regularity with time spent in sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) in adults with full-time jobs.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. Adults aged 21-64 years with full-time jobs were recruited between August 2019 and December 2020 in Taiwan. The time spent in SB/PA was assessed using triaxial accelerometers (Actigraph wGT3x-BT), and PA was further classified into light-intensity physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA). Each participant recorded their daily sleep patterns and work hours in a log, which was further used to measure sleep variability and social jet lag. Linear regression was applied to examine the associations of indicators of sleep regularity with SB time and PA time.

RESULTS

A total of 192 adults (men = 28.13%; mean age = 38.56 ± 8.89 years) were included in this study. After adjusting for potential covariates, greater social jet lag was related to more SB time (unstandardized coefficient [B] = 14.39, P = .005) and less LPA time (B = -0.02, P = .010). No evidence of an association between other indicators of sleep regularity with SB/PA time was found.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide evidence for a relationship between sleep regularity and SB/PA time in working adults. Maintaining regular sleep, especially a small social jet lag, was suggested to promote physical activity and avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Future research is recommended to examine work-related influences on the associations and bidirectional relationship between sleep regularity and SB/PA.

Promotion of physical activity-related health competence using digital workplace-based health promotion: protocol for a controlled before-and-after study

Physical activity (PA) has a high potential to prevent chronic diseases. At the same time, many people in Germany do not achieve PA recommendations due to trends such as digitalisation and the COVID-19 pandemic and, as a result, working from home. There is a need for location-independent and time-independent interventions. Based on the model of physical activity-related health competence (PAHCO), a study design was developed for a digitally conducted, controlled, before-and-after-study targeting office workers. The intervention group receives video-based instructions with exercises that can be performed directly at the desk, complemented by anatomical explanations and advice on PA based on the PAHCO model. The control group only receives the exercises. The intervention period is 5 weeks. Follow-up is conducted after 3 months. The trial shall comprise 294 participants per group whose PA is recorded via questionnaire and online PA diary. Their PAHCO and health-related quality of life are also assessed. The present study aims to increase the health-enhancing PA of office workers independent of time and location. Trial registration number is DRKS00028053.

Workplace health promotion to facilitate physical activity among office workers in Sweden

Office workers spend most of their working time being sedentary, contributing to a sedentary lifestyle that increases the risk of developing disease and disability. A gradual decline in cardiorespiratory fitness among adults, along with increased rate of non-communicable diseases across developed countries, makes the workplace an important opportunity for promoting healthy behaviors. This study aimed to investigate: how office companies in Sweden organize and provide workplace health promotion services related to physical activity; the companies' vision for providing workplace health promotion; and potential facilitators and barriers. Nine informants from eight companies participated in the study, and both qualitative and quantitative data were collected by semi-structured interviews. Informants were selected through purposive sampling in collaboration with eight companies in the office market, including companies that own and develop office buildings, shared workspaces, interior design, sustainable solutions, or consult on issues related to the office sector. The framework method was used to analyze the data in a flexible and systematic way. The results showed that workplace health promotion is implemented to maintain employee health, productivity, and employee branding. Also, a significant number of financial resources, organizational support and office space are devoted to workplace health promotion. Convenience and easy access to storage and fitness facilities are key facilitators. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of employees' engagement in developing and improving workplace health promotion and addressing work-life balance constraints that hinder a healthy lifestyle. Removing barriers on an organizational level may improve the usage of workplace health promotion related to physical activity among office employees.

A longitudinal controlled signage intervention to increase stair use at university buildings: Process and impact evaluation using RE-AIM framework

Introduction

Stair climbing intervention could be suggested to address low occupational physical activity amongst university students and employees. Strong evidence showed the effectiveness of signage intervention in increasing stair use in public areas. However, evidence in worksite settings, including university settings, was inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the process and impact of a signage intervention to increase stair use at a university building using the RE-AIM framework.

Method

We conducted a non-randomised controlled pretest-posttest study to examine the effect of signage intervention placed in university buildings in Yogyakarta (Indonesia) between September 2019 and March 2020. The process of designing the signage involved the employees in the intervention building. The main outcome was the change in the proportion of stair use to elevator use measured by manual observations of video recordings from closed-circuit television. A linear mixed model examined the intervention effect by controlling the total visitor count as a confounder. RE-AIM framework was used in the process and impact evaluation.

Results

The change in the proportion of stair climbing from baseline to the 6th-month phase at the intervention building (+0.067 (95% CI = 0.014-0.120)) was significantly higher than that of the control building. However, the signs did not change the proportion of the stair descending at the intervention building. The signs were potentially viewed 15,077-18,868 times/week by visitors.

Conclusion

Signage intervention using portable posters could easily be adopted, implemented, and maintained in similar settings. A co-produced low-cost signage intervention was found to have a good reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance dimension.

Multi-Component Intervention to Promote Physical Activity in Japanese Office Workers: A Single-Arm Feasibility Study

This study investigated the feasibility of a multi-component intervention to promote physical activity (PA) among Japanese office workers. It was an 8-week single-arm trial conducted in Japan in 2021, in which 76 employees aged 20 or older, from an insurance company, participated. They received a multi-component PA intervention that comprised individual (lecture, print material, goal setting, and feedback), socio-cultural (team building and supportive atmosphere), physical (poster), and organizational (encouraging message from an executive) strategies. The primary outcome was change in objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). A paired t-test was used to compare the changes between weeks 0 and 8. We also conducted a subdomain analysis of PA divided into four domains (working, non-working, commuting working, and remote working). Excluding 26 participants who could not complete valid assessments, the MVPA among participants (n = 50, age 49.6 ± 9.7) significantly increased by +7.3 min/day [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8 to 13.8]. We also identified significant changes in MVPA by +10.0 min/day [95% CI, 3.7 to 16.3] in working days (n = 40), and by +7.1 min/day [95% CI, 0.4 to 13.7] in remote working days (n = 34). We demonstrated that multi-component PA interventions might improve MVPA among Japanese office workers.

Food Literacy and Dietary Intake in German Office Workers: A Longitudinal Intervention Study

Widespread patterns of poor dietary behavior are a key factor causing the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases around the world. Research has provided initial insights into the potential of food literacy (FL) to empower individuals to improve their dietary behavior. However, studies on FL interventions in working adults are scarce. The intervention delivered in this study was a comprehensive 3-week full time education-based workplace health promotion program (WHPP) that provided the participants with in-depth knowledge and skills regarding nutrition and health. We aimed to investigate the short- and long-term effects of the WHPP on FL and dietary intake (DI) and to examine the association between FL and DI in a sample of 144 German office workers (30.0% female). Using two random intercept mixed linear regression models, we found significant strong improvements for both FL (β = 0.52, p < 0.0001) and DI (β = 0.63, p < 0.0001) after the WHPP when compared to baseline. Significant long-term improvements at 18 months were strong for FL (β = 0.55, p < 0.0001) and weak for DI (β = 0.10, p < 0.0001). FL showed a significant moderate effect on DI across all measurement time points (β = 0.24, p < 0.0001). We conclude that well-designed WHPPs can induce long-term improvements in FL and DI, and that FL can be viewed as an asset to further expand food-related knowledge and skills and to enhance dietary behavior. Our study fills a gap of long-term findings regarding the role of FL in WHPPs and supports the idea of implementing FL in the development of comprehensive WHPPs to improve DI.

Heart Rate Response and Flexibility Following Single Bout of Training Using a Seated Elliptical Trainer Among Younger and Older Adults

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of a 30-minute activity session using a seated elliptical trainer on heart rate response, knee and ankle range of motion and satisfaction among older and younger adults. Prior to and following completing a 30-minute bout of activity using a seated elliptical trainer, each participant’s leg flexibility was assessed. During every minute of the activity, the participant’s heart rate was recorded. Following the activity, the participants reported their satisfaction with the trainer. Older participants exhibited a greater heart rate response relative to their estimated maximum heart rate during and reported greater satisfaction with the elliptical trainer compared with younger participants. Both groups increased their leg flexibility following use of the trainer. Nurses could prescribe 30 minutes of activity using a seated elliptical trainer to employees in sedentary occupations to improve cardiovascular health and leg flexibility particularly among older adults.

Joint Profiles of Sedentary Time and Physical Activity in Adults and Their Associations with Cardiometabolic Health

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify and characterize joint profiles of sedentary time and physical activity among adults and to investigate how these profiles are associated with markers of cardiometabolic health.

METHODS

The participants included 3702 of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 at age 46 yr, who wore a hip-worn accelerometer during waking hours and provided seven consecutive days of valid data. Sedentary time, light-intensity physical activity, and moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity on each valid day were obtained, and a data-driven clustering approach ("KmL3D") was used to characterize distinct joint profiles of sedentary time and physical activity intensities. Participants self-reported their sleep duration and performed a submaximal step test with continuous heart rate measurement to estimate their cardiorespiratory fitness (peak heart rate). Linear regression was used to determine the association between joint profiles of sedentary time and physical activities with cardiometabolic health markers, including adiposity markers and blood lipid, glucose, and insulin levels.

RESULTS

Four distinct groups were identified: "active couch potatoes" ( n = 1173), "sedentary light movers" ( n = 1199), "sedentary exercisers" ( n = 694), and "movers" ( n = 636). Although sufficiently active, active couch potatoes had the highest daily sedentary time (>10 h) and lowest light-intensity physical activity. Compared with active couch potatoes, sedentary light movers, sedentary exercisers, and movers spent less time in sedentary by performing more physical activity at light-intensity upward and had favorable differences in their cardiometabolic health markers after accounting for potential confounders (1.1%-25.0% lower values depending on the health marker and profile).

CONCLUSIONS

After accounting for sleep duration and cardiorespiratory fitness, waking activity profiles characterized by performing more physical activity at light-intensity upward, resulting in less time spent in sedentary, were associated with better cardiometabolic health.

Sedentary behaviour, physical activity, and sleep among office workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparison of Brazil and Sweden

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the physical behaviours of office workers worldwide, but studies comparing physical behaviours between countries with similar restrictions policies are rare. This study aimed to document and compare the 24-hour time-use compositions of physical behaviours among Brazilian and Swedish office workers on working and non-working days during the pandemic.

Methods

Physical behaviours were monitored over 7 days using thigh-worn accelerometers in 73 Brazilian and 202 Swedish workers. Daily time-use compositions were exhaustively described in terms of sedentary behaviour (SED) in short (< 30 min) and long (≥30 min) bouts, light physical activity (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and time-in-bed. We examined differences between countries using MANOVA on data processed according to compositional data analysis. As Swedish workers had the possibility to do hybrid work, we conducted a set of sensitivity analyses including only data from days when Swedish workers worked from home.

Results

During working days, Brazilian office workers spent more time SED in short (294 min) and long (478 min) bouts and less time in LPA (156 min) and MVPA (50 min) than Swedish workers (274, 367, 256 and 85 min, respectively). Time spent in bed was similar in both groups. Similar differences between Brazilians and Swedes were observed on non-working days, while workers were, in general, less sedentary, more active and spent more time-in-bed than during working days. The MANOVA showed that Brazilians and Swedes differed significantly in behaviours during working (p <  0.001, ηp2 = 0.36) and non-working days (p <  0.001, ηp2 = 0.20). Brazilian workers spent significantly more time in SED relative to being active, less time in short relative to long bouts in SED, and more time in LPA relative to MVPA, both during workdays and non-workdays. Sensitivity analyses only on data from days when participants worked from home showed similar results.

Conclusions

During the COVID-19 pandemic Brazilian office workers were more sedentary and less active than Swedish workers, both during working and non-working days. Whether this relates to the perception or interpretation of restrictions being different or to differences present even before the pandemic is not clear, and we encourage further research to resolve this important issue.

Effects of combined training during the COVID-19 pandemic on metabolic health and quality of life in sedentary workers: A randomized controlled study

This study aimed to analyze the effects of a combined training (CT) program performed during the first national lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic on body composition, metabolic profile, quality of life and stress in sedentary workers, and examines whether changes in the metabolic profile are associated with changes in health-related outcomes which are modifiable by exercise. We evaluated 31 sedentary workers (48.26 ± 7.89 years old). Participants were randomly assigned to a CT group (i.e., performed 16 weeks of exercise) or to a non-exercise control group. The CT program consisted of 16-week of resistance and aerobic exercise. Body composition, glycemic and lipidic profiles, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), health-related quality of life and stress levels were assessed pre- and post-intervention. After the intervention period, the CT group demonstrated significantly lower waist and hip circumference (p < 0.05) values than the control group. The control group significantly increased the fasting glucose and HOMA-IR after 16 weeks follow-up (+4.74 mg/dL, p = 0.029; and +0.41 units, p = 0.010, respectively), whiles no significant changes were observed in the CT group in the same parameters (+3.33 mg/dL, p = 0.176; and +0.04 units, p = 0.628, respectively). No changes were observed in the lipid profile for either group (p > 0.05). A significant positive relationship was detected between the change in BMI with the changes in insulin and HOMA-IR (r = 0.643, p = 0.024; and r = 0.605, p = 0.037, respectively). In addition, the changes in CRF were negatively associated with the changes in total cholesterol (r = -0.578, p = 0.049). We observed differences between groups on perceived stress levels and physical, psychological, and environmental domains of quality of life, with the CT group showing better results. Moreover, the CT group improved perceived life satisfaction (+3.17 points, p = 0.038). The findings of the present study suggest that the participants who remained physically active during the first pandemic-related lockdown were able to mitigate the deleterious effects associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

A multicomponent structured health behaviour intervention to improve physical activity in long-distance HGV drivers: the SHIFT cluster RCT

Background

Long-distance heavy goods vehicle drivers are exposed to a multitude of risk factors associated with their occupation. The working environment of heavy goods vehicle drivers provides limited opportunities for a healthy lifestyle, and, consequently, heavy goods vehicle drivers exhibit higher than nationally representative rates of obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, and are underserved in terms of health promotion initiatives.

Objective

The aim of this trial was to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the multicomponent Structured Health Intervention For Truckers (SHIFT) programme, compared with usual care, at both 6 months and 16–18 months.

Design

A two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial, including a cost-effectiveness analysis and process evaluation.

Setting

Transport depots throughout the Midlands region of the UK.

Participants

Heavy goods vehicle drivers.

Intervention

The 6-month SHIFT programme included a group-based interactive 6-hour education session, health coach support and equipment provision [including a Fitbit® (Fitbit Inc., San Francisco, CA, US) and resistance bands/balls to facilitate a ‘cab workout’]. Clusters were randomised following baseline measurements to either the SHIFT arm or the control arm.

Main outcome measures

Outcome measures were assessed at baseline, with follow-up assessments occurring at both 6 months and 16–18 months. The primary outcome was device-measured physical activity, expressed as mean steps per day, at 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included device-measured sitting, standing, stepping, physical activity and sleep time (on any day, workdays and non-workdays), along with adiposity, biochemical measures, diet, blood pressure, psychophysiological reactivity, cognitive function, functional fitness, mental well-being, musculoskeletal symptoms and work-related psychosocial variables. Cost-effectiveness and process evaluation data were collected.

Results

A total of 382 participants (mean ± standard deviation age: 48.4 ± 9.4 years; mean ± standard deviation body mass index: 30.4 kg/m2 ± 5.1 kg/m2; 99% male) were recruited across 25 clusters. Participants were randomised (at the cluster level) to either the SHIFT arm (12 clusters, n = 183) or the control arm (13 clusters, n = 199). At 6 months, 209 (54.7%) participants provided primary outcome data. Significant differences in mean daily steps were found between arms, with participants in the SHIFT arm accumulating 1008 more steps per day than participants in the control arm (95% confidence interval 145 to 1871 steps; p = 0.022), which was largely driven by the maintenance of physical activity levels in the SHIFT arm and a decline in physical activity levels in the control arm. Favourable differences at 6 months were also seen in the SHIFT arm, relative to the control arm, in time spent sitting, standing and stepping, and time in moderate or vigorous activity. No differences between arms were observed at 16–18 months’ follow-up. No differences were observed between arms in the other secondary outcomes at either follow-up (i.e. 6 months and 16–18 months). The process evaluation demonstrated that the intervention was well received by participants and that the intervention reportedly had a positive impact on their health behaviours. The average total cost of delivering the SHIFT programme was £369.57 per driver, and resulting quality-adjusted life-years were similar across trial arms (SHIFT arm: 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.19 to 1.25; control arm: 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.22 to 1.27).

Limitations

A higher (31.4%) than anticipated loss to follow-up was experienced at 6 months, with fewer (54.7%) participants providing valid primary outcome data at 6 months. The COVID-19 pandemic presents a major confounding factor, which limits our ability to draw firm conclusions regarding the sustainability of the SHIFT programme.

Conclusion

The SHIFT programme had a degree of success in positively impacting physical activity levels and reducing sitting time in heavy goods vehicle drivers at 6-months; however, these differences were not maintained at 16–18 months.

Future work

Further work involving stakeholder engagement is needed to refine the content of the programme, based on current findings, followed by the translation of the SHIFT programme into a scalable driver training resource.

Trial registration

This trial is registered as ISRCTN10483894.

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 10, No. 12. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Mixed-methods process evaluation of the Dynamic Work study: A multicomponent intervention for office workers to reduce sitting time

Previously, we observed no significant reductions in sitting time of the multicomponent Dynamic Work (DW) intervention among office workers. In this study we used mixed-method data to understand context, implementation (i.e. recruitment and delivery) and mechanism of impact (i.e. experiences) of the DW intervention and to explore whether an higher implementation index score led to larger changes in participants' outcomes. We found considerable variation across departments regarding context (i.e. different size and work tasks) and implementation (i.e. delivery varied). Satisfaction with the DW intervention was high. An higher implementation index score was associated with lower overall sitting time, lower occupational sitting time, higher number of steps/day and steps/day at work at 4-months, which was maintained at 8-month for occupational sitting time. These findings provide an understanding that implementation was affected by a lack of availability of intervention components, department policy, work tasks, positioning and work location. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, registration number:NCT03115645. Registered February 17, 2017 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03115645.

Which exercise interventions are more helpful in treating primary obesity in young adults? A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Network meta-analysis was used to evaluate the effectiveness of different exercise interventions in the treatment of obesity in young people and recommend the most suitable exercise method.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We searched five electronic databases for articles on obesity treatment in the youth population from inception to April 2022. The two researchers independently retrieved and screened the articles, carried out a quality assessment and data extraction, and carried out a network meta-analysis in the Bayesian framework in Stata software.

RESULTS

A total of 32 original studies were included in the study, all randomized controlled trials (RCTs). High-intensity aerobic exercise may be the best way to reduce the weight of obese people; high-intensity aerobic training combined with resistance training may be the best way to reduce BMI and FAT%; moderate-intensity aerobic training combined with resistance training may be the best way to reduce the waistline; high-intensity aerobic exercise may be the best way to boost VO2max.

CONCLUSIONS

Exercise interventions such as high-intensity aerobic training combined with resistance training can be considered and promoted as a non-drug treatment for primary obesity in young adults.

Effects of surgical and FFP2 masks on cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in patients with heart failure

Aims

Surgical and FFP2 masks are recommended to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The cardiopulmonary effects of facemasks in patients with chronic heart failure are unknown. This prospective, cross-over study quantified the effects of wearing no mask (nm), surgical mask (sm), and FFP2 mask (ffpm) in patients with stable heart failure.

Methods

12 patients with clinically stable chronic heart failure (HF) (age 63.8±12 years, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 43.8±11%, NTProBNP 573±567 pg/ml) underwent spiroergometry with and without masks in a randomized sequence. Comfort/discomfort was assessed using a standardized questionnaire.

Results

Maximum power was reduced with both types of masks (nm: 108.3 W vs. sm: 101.2 W vs. ffpm: 95.6 W, p<0.01). Maximum respiratory oxygen uptake (1499ml/min vs. 1481 ml/min vs. 1300 ml/min, p = 0.95 and <0.01), peak ventilation (62.1 l/min vs. 56.4 l/min vs. 50.3 l/min, p = 0.15 and p<0.05) and O2-pulse (11.6 ml/beat vs. 11.8 ml/beat vs. 10.6 ml/beat, p = 0.87 and p<0.01) were significantly changed with ffpm but not sm. Discomfort was moderately but significantly increased (nm: 1.6 vs. sm: 3.4 vs. ffpm: 4.4, p<0.05).

Conclusion

Both surgical and FFP masks reduce exercise capacity in heart failure patients, while FFP2 masks reduce oxygen uptake and peak ventilation. This reduction in cardiopulmonary performance should be considered in heart failure patients whose daily life activities are often just as challenging as exercise is for healthy adults.

Physical Activity, Energy Expenditure, Screen Time and Social Support in Spanish Adolescents-Towards an Explanatory Model about Health Risk Factors

Youth obesity has been a pandemic for decades. One of its causes is a low level of physical activity. It is necessary to know the specific situation of adolescents and the factors that influence it in order to be able to act accordingly. The first aim of the current study is to create an explanatory model to establish the relationships between light physical activity time, light physical activity energy expenditure, screen time and social support. The second aim is to propose a theoretical model specifying the relationships between moderate-vigorous physical activity time, moderate-vigorous physical activity energy expenditure, screen time and social support. The study design was non-experimental (ex post facto), descriptive-correlational and cross-sectional. A total of 694 adolescents from the region of Soria (12-17 years) participated in the study. The instruments administered were the Four by One-Day Physical Activity Questionnaire, Parent Support Scale and Peer Support Scale. Two structural equation models were developed to analyse the relationships between the variables that comprised the explanatory models. The results show that social support had a negative influence on screen time in the proposed model in relation to light physical activity (r = -0.210; p ≤ 0.001) and in the proposed one regarding moderate-vigorous physical activity (r = -0.173; p ≤ 0.05). Social support was negatively related to light physical activity time (r = -0.167; p ≤ 0.05). Family support had a greater influence than did peer support. In conclusion, the models for light and moderate-vigorous physical activity are useful to describe the relationships between time, energy expenditure, screen time and social support.

The burden of conveyor belt work in the canteen kitchen: A question of working height?

BACKGROUND: Working in forced postures and standing continuously can be classified as straining the musculoskeletal system. OBJECTIVE: Since such postures are frequently used in hospital canteen kitchens, we used kinematic analysis to determine the working postures of canteen kitchen staff. METHODS: In this study, the daily work routine of 18 (11 w/7 m) workers of a hospital canteen kitchen (Frankfurt/Main, Germany) aged 21–62 years (46±13 years) was examined by means of kinematic analysis (CULEA system; IFA; Sankt Augustin/Germany) and a detailed computerized analysis of the activities performed on- site. Angle values of the head and trunk were evaluated in accordance with ergonomic standards and presented using percentile values (P05-P95). The OWAS method was also employed to capture the proportions of standing, walking and sitting work. RESULTS: The kinematic posture analysis showed for all activities on the conveyor belt a tendency towards a dorsally inclined body position: trunk inclination (–7.5° to 0), thoracic spine inclination or a bending forward (–11.3° to 0°) and curvature of the back within the thoracic spine (–15.2° to 0°). In addition,>90% of the “activities on the belt” (46% of the daily working routine) were carried out standing. CONCLUSION: The activities on the conveyor belt were characterized by a tendency towards hyperextension of the trunk, possibly due to a too high working environment. Furthermore, an increased burden on body structures while standing can be concluded. From a primary prevention perspective, this increased standing load should be reduced by behavioral and relational prevention measures.

Validity and Reliability of the Persian Version of the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire Among Office Employees

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the sedentary behavior questionnaire (SBQ) among university office employees in Kermanshah province in the west of Iran.Method: A validation study was performed among 701 university office employees in Kermanshah province. The content validation process was conducted using interviews with content and lay experts. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated as test-retest reliability. In addition, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to assess the validity of the questionnaire structure.Results: The scale content validity indices using two general agreement approaches and the mean approach were 88.88 and 97.77%, respectively. The ICC was estimated at 1.00 [95% CI:0.99, 1.00]. The exploratory factor analyses suggested nine-factor solutions, and in the independent sample, the confirmatory factor analysis fit indices showed that the model had an acceptable fit to the data.Conclusion: The Persian version of the SBQ had acceptable reliability and validity for assessing SBs among office employees. This questionnaire is a simple and self-report tool for measuring SB in daily life and would be useful in the design and evaluation of preventive programs among administrative staff and high-risk population surveillance.

An exploration of New Zealand mental health nurses' personal physical activities

This study assessed the physical activities of Mental Health Nurses (MHN) in New Zealand against the 2018 World Health Organization recommended minimum levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The research design was exploratory and descriptive as there were no previous studies about physical activity levels of MHNs in New Zealand. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ, Long Version) which included options for free-text responses. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 266 participants returned the survey, a response rate of 4%, and a limitation of the study. More than 50% of MHNs reported <150 min of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week for each of the four physical activity domains. When individual physical activity domains were combined, only 10% spent <150 min on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Work-related physical activities were higher for those working in the inpatient area than in community settings. Transport-related physical activities were higher for those working in community settings. Participants registered from 6 to 20 years had more time sitting than other groups. Nurses aged 55 years and above showed the highest total physical activity levels. Moreover, healthcare organizations and nurse leaders need to promote physical activity and provide wellness intervention for their staff. Nurses who are physically active may be more effective in supporting their patients to increase their physical activity.

Concurrent Agreement Between ActiGraph and activPAL for Measuring Physical Activity in Pregnant Women and Office Workers

INTRODUCTION

Current best practice for objective measurement of sedentary behavior and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) requires two separate devices. This study assessed concurrent agreement between the ActiGraph GT3X and the activPAL3 micro for measuring MVPA to determine if activPAL can accurately measure MVPA in addition to its known capacity to measure sedentary behavior.

METHODS

Forty participants from two studies, including pregnant women (n = 20) and desk workers (n = 20), provided objective measurement of MVPA from waist-worn ActiGraph GT3X and thigh-worn activPAL micro3. MVPA from the GT3X was compared with MVPA from the activPAL using metabolic equivalents of task (MET)- and step-based data across three epochs. Intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analyses, overall and by study sample, compared MVPA minutes per day across methods.

RESULTS

Mean estimates of activPAL MVPA ranged from 22.7 to 35.2 (MET based) and 19.7 to 25.8 (step based) minutes per day, compared with 31.4 min/day (GT3X). MET-based MVPA had high agreement with GT3X, intraclass correlation coefficient ranging from .831 to .875. Bland-Altman analyses revealed minimal bias between 15- and 30-s MET-based MVPA and GT3X MVPA (-3.77 to 8.63 min/day, p > .10) but with wide limits of agreement (greater than ±27 min). Step-based MVPA had moderate to high agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient: .681-.810), but consistently underestimated GT3X MVPA (bias: 5.62-11.74 min/day, p < .02). For all methods, activPAL appears to better estimate GT3X at lower quantities of MVPA. Results were similar when repeated separately by pregnant women and desk workers.

CONCLUSION

activPAL can measure MVPA in addition to sedentary behavior, providing an option for concurrent, single device monitoring. MET-based MVPA using 30-s activPAL epochs provided the best estimate of GT3X MVPA in pregnant women and desk workers.

The effect of two multi-component behavior change interventions on cognitive functions

Background

We previously reported the effects of two cluster-randomized 6-month multi-component workplace interventions, targeting reducing sedentary behavior or increasing physical activity among office workers, on movement behaviors and cardiorespiratory fitness. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effects of these interventions on cognitive functions compared to a wait-list control group. The secondary aims were to examine if changes in cognition were related to change in cardiorespiratory fitness or movement behaviors and if age, sex, or cardiorespiratory fitness moderated these associations.

Methods

Both interventions encompassed multi-components acting on the individual, environmental, and organizational levels and aimed to change physical activity patterns to improve mental health and cognitive function. Out of 263 included participants, 139 (mean age 43 years, 76% females) completed a neuropsychological test battery and wore accelerometers at baseline and 6-month follow-up. The intervention effect (aim 1) on cognitive composite scores (i.e., Executive Functions, Episodic Memory, Processing Speed, and Global Cognition) was investigated. Additionally, associations between changes in movement behaviors and cardiorespiratory fitness, and changes in cognition were examined (aim 2). Moreover, age, sex, and cardiorespiratory fitness level were investigated as possible moderators of change associations (aim 3).

Results

Overall, cognitive performance improved from baseline to follow-up, but the change did not differ between the intervention groups and the control group. Changes in cardiorespiratory fitness or any movement behavior category did not predict changes in cognitive functions. The association between changes in time in bed and changes in both Executive Function and Global Cognition were moderated by age, such that a more positive relation was seen with increasing age. A less positive association was seen between changes in sedentary behavior and Processing Speed for men vs. women, whereas higher cardiorespiratory fitness was related to a more positive association between changes in moderate-intensity physical activity and Global Cognition.

Conclusion

The lack of an intervention effect on cognitive functions was expected since the intervention did not change movement behavior or fitness. Age, sex, and cardiorespiratory fitness level might moderate the relationships between movement behaviors and cognitive functions changes.

Trial registration

ISRCTN92968402. Registered 09/04/2018.

Association between Physical Activity Guidelines and Sedentary Time with Workers' Health-Related Quality of Life in a Spanish Multinational Company

Workers spend a large amount of time working, limiting the possibility of meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines. A better health-related quality of life (HRQoL) provides benefits for the employee and company. The aim of this study was to analyse the associations of four behavioural categories between compliance with PA guidelines (aerobic and strength training) and sedentary time with workers’ HRQoL. We classified the sample into four categories: (1) “Physically active & low sedentary”, (2) “Physically active & high sedentary”, (3) “Physically inactive & low sedentary”, and (4) “Physically inactive & high sedentary”. Student’s t-tests for two independent samples and a multiple linear regression adjusted for covariates were performed. A total of 1004 employees of the multinational company Grupo Red Eléctrica participated. Compliance with PA guidelines and a low level of sedentarism were associated with higher HRQoL (p < 0.001). Compared to “physically inactive & high sedentary”, “physically active & low sedentary” and “physically active & high sedentary” workers obtained a better HRQoL (B = 5.47; p = 0.006 and B = 4.10; p = 0.003; respectively). In this sample of Spanish workers, being physically active was associated with a better HRQoL, even in those with high sedentary time. Experimental studies are needed to confirm our results.

Exercise and Occupational Stress among Firefighters

The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential association between physical activity and occupational stress among firefighters. Data were collected from Cypriot firefighters through a web-based battery of internationally validated questionnaires completed anonymously (COPSOQ, DASS). A total of 430 firefighters (response rate 68%) completed the survey (age range: 21-60 years). More than half of the firefighters (54%) reported either no or minimal physical activity. A total of 11% of firefighters reported moderate to extremely severe stress based on the DASS-S scale. Using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, we showed that firefighters who exercised had 50% lower risk of occupational stress, and using a categorical model, we found that every hour per week of increased physical activity among firefighters was associated with 16% lower risk of occupational stress after adjusting for age, education, smoking, and body mass index (OR = 1.16; p = 0.05). In addition, our findings suggest an inverse dose-response relationship between physical activity and occupational stress among firefighters. Physical activity appears to be inversely associated with occupational stress and serves as an important mitigating factor of occupational stress in firefighters. Further research is warranted to evaluate the potential effect of exercise interventions on occupational stress, and the overall mental health of firefighters and other occupational groups.

Association of domain-specific physical activity and sedentary behavior with cardiometabolic health among office workers

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have reported opposite effects of occupational or non-occupational physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) on health outcomes. However, no study has investigated the relationship between domain-specific movement behaviors and cardiometabolic health (CMH) among office workers, considering the compositional nature of time-use data. We investigated the associations of accelerometer-measured PA and SB for each domain (working time, non-working time on workday, and non-workday) with CMH indicators among office workers, using compositional data analysis.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 1258 Japanese office workers. The time spent on SB, light-intensity PA (LPA), and moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) were assessed using an accelerometer. CMH indicators were retrieved from the annual health check-up data.

RESULTS

Compositional multiple linear regression indicated that PA and SB during non-working time on workdays, but not working time or non-workdays, were significantly associated with CMH. In particular, during non-working time, time reallocations from SB to LPA and from SB to MVPA were associated with favorable changes in cardiometabolic risk score and lipid metabolism, respectively. Paradoxically, a greater proportion of LPA during non-working time was associated with favorable diastolic blood pressure (β = 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.02, 3.19), whereas occupational LPA was detrimental (β = -2.48; 95% CI = -4.87, -0.09).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that reducing SB and increasing PA during non-working time on workdays may be effective for managing CMH among office workers. Future longitudinal studies using compositional data analysis are required to confirm our results.

Type and intensity distribution of structured and incidental lifestyle physical activity of students and office workers: a retrospective content analysis

Background

Physical activity (PA) guidelines acknowledge the health benefits of regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) regardless of bout duration. However, little knowledge exists concerning the type and intensity distribution of structured and incidental lifestyle PA of students and office workers. The present study aimed to i) assess the duration and distribution of intensity of MVPAs during waking hours ≥50% of heart rate reserve (HRR), ii) to identify the type of PA through diary assessment, iii) to assign these activities into structured and lifestyle incidental PA, and iv) to compare this information between students and office workers.

Methods

Twenty-three healthy participants (11 students, 12 office workers) recorded heart rate (HR) with a wrist-worn HR monitor (Polar M600) and filled out a PA diary throughout seven consecutive days (i.e. ≥ 8 waking h/day). Relative HR zones were calculated, and PA diary information was coded using the Compendium of PA. We matched HR data with the reported PA and identified PA bouts during waking time ≥ 50% HRR concerning duration, HRR zone, type of PA, and assigned each activity to incidental and structured PA. Descriptive measures for time spend in different HRR zones and differences between students and office workers were calculated.

Results

In total, we analyzed 276.894 s (76 h 54 min 54 s) of waking time in HRR zones ≥50% and identified 169 different types of PA. The participants spend 31.9 ± 27.1 min/day or 3.9 ± 3.2% of their waking time in zones of ≥50% HRR with no difference between students and office workers (p > 0.01). The proportion of assigned incidental lifestyle PA was 76.9 ± 22.5%.

Conclusions

The present study provides initial insights regarding the type, amount, and distribution of intensity of structured and incidental lifestyle PA ≥ 50% HRR. Findings show a substantial amount of incidental lifestyle PA during waking hours and display the importance of promoting a physically active lifestyle. Future research could employ ambulatory assessments with integrated electronic diaries to detect information on the type and context of MVPA during the day.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-12999-z.

Office workers' perspectives on physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a qualitative study

Background

Office workers spend a significant part of their workday sitting. Interventions that aim to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity might be more effective if greater attention is paid to individual perspectives that influence behavioural choices, including beliefs and values. This study aimed to gain insight into office workers' perspectives on physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

Methods

Sixteen Dutch office workers (50% female) from different professions participated in semi-structured face-to-face interviews in March 2019. To facilitate the interviews, participants received a sensitizing booklet one week before the interview. The booklet aimed to trigger them to reflect on their physical activity and sedentary behaviour and on their values in life. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and coded following codebook thematic analysis.

Results

Six themes were identified: 1) beliefs about health effects are specific regarding physical activity, but superficial regarding sedentary behaviour; 2) in addition to ‘health’ as a value, other values are also given priority; 3) motivations to engage in physical activity mainly stem from prioritizing the value ‘health’, reflected by a desire to both achieve positive short/mid-term outcomes and to prevent long-term negative outcomes; 4) attitudes towards physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour are diverse and depend on individual values and previous experiences; 5) perceived barriers depend on internal and external factors; 6) supporting factors are related to support and information in the social and physical environment.

Conclusions

The great value that office workers attach to health is reflected in their motivations and attitudes regarding physical activity. Increasing office workers' knowledge of the health risks of prolonged sitting may therefore increase their motivation to sit less. Although ‘health’ is considered important, other values, including social and work-related values, are sometimes prioritized. We conclude that interventions that aim to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity among office workers could be improved by informing about health effects of sedentary behaviour and short/mid-term benefits of physical activity, including mental health benefits. Moreover, interventions could frame physical activity as congruent with values and support value-congruent choices. Finally, the work environment could support physical activity and interruption of sedentary behaviour.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13024-z.