|
17th
Annual ECSS-Congress, Bruges 2012
Abstract details
| Abstract-ID: |
543 |
|
Session: |
[OP-PM09] Health and Fitness [HF] 5 |
|
Lecture room: |
Aula Magna 2 |
|
Date & time: |
28.06.2013 / 16:20 - 17:50 |
| Title of the paper: |
Walk@WorkSpain: Effectiveness on increasing physical activity levels in office employees. |
| Authors: |
Bort-Roig, J.1, Puig-Ribera, A.1, González-Suárez, A.M.2, Martínez-Lemos, I.3, Giné-Garriga, M.4, Fortuño, J.4, Gilson, N.D.5 |
| Institution: |
1. Universitat de Vic, 2. Universidad del País Vasco, 3. Universidad de Vigo, 4. Universitat Ramon Llull-Blanquerna, (Spain) 5. The University of Queensland (Australia) |
| Department: |
Grup de Recerca en Esport i Activitat Física |
| Country: |
Spain |
|
Abstract text |
Introduction: Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality (WHO, 2010). However, 50% of the Spanish population does not achieve physical activity (PA) recommendations for health. As most adults spend half of their waking day at work (Tudor-Locke et al., 2011), the workplace has become a convenient setting for delivering PA promotion interventions. This study investigated the impact of a web-based “sit less and move more at work” program had on employee´s PA levels.
Methods: Office employees from four Spanish universities engaged in the program over 19 weeks (n=264; age 42±10 years; 171 women). The intervention group (IG, n=129) used a pedometer, a diary and a website which provided strategies, motivational materials and interactive features to increase step counts and reduce sitting time at work. Following baseline measures, the intervention consisted of a (i) ramping phase to progressively increase baseline step counts to 10,000 by integrating active working tasks, short and long walking routes at work, (ii) a maintenance phase to sustain the increased volume of step counts through researcher support. An additional campus in each university acted as a control group (CG, n=135). Employees completed a PA questionnaire (IPAQ short version) at baseline, post-intervention, and two months follow-up. PA status changes (MET·h·wk-1) were analysed using ANOVA between and within groups.
Results: The IG significantly increased PA levels at post-intervention (+205MET·h·wk-1; p<.05), and two months follow-up (+590MET·h·wk-1; p<.05). No statistically significant differences between groups were observed. When data from the IG were analysed relative to baseline activity status, inactive employees (n=17, 13%; <600MET·h·wk-1) increased PA levels the most at post-intervention(+1,330MET·h·wk-1; p<.05) and follow-up (+1,366MET·h·wk-1; p<.001). Active employees (n=70, 54%; 600-3,000 MET·h·wk-1) also showed significant increases at post-intervention (+991MET·h·wk-1; p<.001) and at follow up (+1,237MET·h·wk-1; p<.001), whereas highly active employees (n=42, 32%; >3,000MET·h·wk-1)decreased their PA levels (-809MET·h·wk-1; p>.05).
Discussion: Office employees that engaged the program increased their overall PA levels. Increases were most evident for the least active. Walk@WorkSpain may be effective to achieve PA recommendations for health in Spanish population.
References:
World Health Organitzation. (2010).
Tudor-Locke C, Leonardi C, Johnson WD, Katzmarzyk PT. (2011). J Occup Environ Med,53,1382-7.
|
| Topic: |
Health and Fitness |
| Keyword I: |
Physical activity levels |
| Keyword II: |
Workplace |
| Keyword III: |
Website |
|