Corrigendum to “Office workers' objectively assessed total and prolonged sitting time: Individual-level correlates and worksite variations” [Prev. Med. Rep. 4 (2016) 184–191]

This feasibility study evaluated the effects of an individual-level intervention to target office workers total and prolonged sedentary behaviour during working hours, using an e-health smartphone application. A three-arm (Prompt-30 or 60 min Intervention arm and a No-Prompt Comparison arm), quasi-randomised intervention was conducted over 12 weeks. Behavioural outcomes (worktime sitting, standing, stepping, prolonged sitting, and physical activity) were monitored using accelerometers and anthropometrics measured at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. Cardiometabolic measures were taken at baseline and 12 weeks. Fifty-six office workers (64% female) completed baseline assessments. The Prompt-60 arm was associated with a reduction in occupational sitting time at 6 (−46.8 min/8 h workday [95% confidence interval = −86.4, −6.6], p < 0.05) and 12 weeks (−69.6 min/8 h workday [−111.0, −28.2], p < 0.05) relative to the No-Prompt Comparison arm. Sitting was primarily replaced with standing in both arms (p > 0.05). Both Intervention arms reduced time in prolonged sitting bouts at 12 weeks (Prompt-30: −27.0 [−99.0, 45.0]; Prompt-60: −25.8 [−98.4, 47.4] min/8 h workday; both p > 0.05). There were no changes in steps or cardiometabolic risk. Findings highlight the potential of a smartphone e-health application, suggesting 60 min prompts may present an optimal frequency to reduce total occupational sedentary behaviour.

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Office workers' objectively assessed total and prolonged sitting time: Individual-level correlates and worksite variations

Preventive Medicine Reports ◽

10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.06.011 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 184-191 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Nyssa T. Hadgraft ◽

Genevieve N. Healy ◽

Neville Owen ◽

Elisabeth A.H. Winkler ◽

Brigid M. Lynch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Office Workers ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Individual Level ◽

Prolonged Sitting

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Long-Term Access to Sit-Stand Workstations in a Large Office Population: User Profiles Reveal Differences in Sitting Time and Perceptions

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15092019 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (9) ◽

pp. 2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Lidewij Renaud ◽

Maaike Huysmans ◽

Hidde van der Ploeg ◽

Erwin Speklé ◽

Allard van der Beek

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Office Workers ◽

Sitting Time ◽

User Profiles ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Frequency Of Use ◽

Negative Perceptions ◽

User Groups ◽

Office Employees

Background: To decrease the detrimental health effects of prolonged sitting, the implementation of sit-stand workstations is a commonly used intervention for office workers. Most studies on this topic evaluated the effects of newly introduced sit-stand workstations. The objective of this study was to determine how often and how long the standing option is used and how the use of sit-stand workstations is perceived in office workers with long-term access to these workstations. Methods: Using an online survey, 1098 office employees responded to questions about frequency of usage of the sit-stand workstation, sitting time, physical activity, and positive and negative perceptions of the use of the sit-stand workstations. Results: Based on the frequency of use, three user groups were identified: non-users (32.1%), monthly/weekly users (37.5%) and daily users (30.4%). Non-users reported to sit more, stand less and have longer bouts of sitting, compared to monthly/weekly users, and these differences were even larger compared to daily users. A higher proportion of daily users perceived the use of the sit-stand workstation as being more healthy and appealing and making them more productive and energetic compared to the non-users. A higher proportion of the non-users perceived it as being uncomfortable, distracting, and unpractical, compared to the other user groups. Conclusions: The differences between the three identified user groups with respect to sitting, standing and perceptions of sit-stand workstations, might be helpful in tailoring future interventions to reduce occupational sitting time, to increase the reach, effectiveness and sustainability.

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Occupational sitting time, its determinants and intervention strategies in Malaysian office workers: a mixed-methods study

Health Promotion International ◽

10.1093/heapro/daab149 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Saiful Adli Suhaimi ◽

Andre Matthias Müller ◽

Eliza Hafiz ◽

Selina Khoo

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Intervention Strategies ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Barriers And Facilitators ◽

Office Workers ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Occupational Sitting ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Malaysian Government

Abstract Adults who accumulate a lot of sedentary time per day are at an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Prolonged sitting is also associated with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. With the increase in desk-based office work, many office workers spend long hours sitting at the workplace. The aim of this study was to assess occupational sitting time in Malaysian government office workers, and investigate determinants of occupational sitting time and potential strategies to interrupt sitting time. We conducted a mixed-methods study consisting of a survey and focus group discussions (FGDs). A total of 1338 office workers from 24 Malaysian ministries completed the Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire. Twenty-nine office workers who spent at least 7 h per day sitting at work participated in FGDs. We enquired about knowledge, awareness and perceptions related to prolonged sitting time, barriers and facilitators to sitting time at work, and potential intervention strategies. Mean daily sitting time at work was 5.96 h (standard deviation = 1.37 h). FDGs confirmed barriers and facilitators to sitting time in accordance with the social-ecological model for health. Intrapersonal, social and physical environmental factors as well as organizational culture and organizational policy were mentioned to affect occupational sitting time. The results show that Malaysian government office workers spent a significant amount of time sitting at work and we identified multi-level factors influencing sitting time. A smartphone-based intervention to interrupt sitting time at work was suggested and is currently being tested.

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Does breaking up prolonged sitting improve cognitive functions in sedentary adults? A mapping review and hypothesis formulation on the potential physiological mechanisms

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-021-04136-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Baskaran Chandrasekaran ◽

Arto J. Pesola ◽

Chythra R. Rao ◽

Ashokan Arumugam

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Office Workers ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Physiological Mechanisms ◽

Glycaemic Variability ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Mapping Review

Abstract Background Prolonged (excessive) sitting is detrimentally associated with cardiovascular, metabolic and mental health. Moreover, prolonged sitting has been associated with poor executive function, memory, attention and visuospatial skills, which are important cognitive aspects of work performance. Breaking up prolonged sitting with standing or light-intensity exercises at the workplace is recognized as a potential measure in improving cognition. However, preliminary evidence, primarily from acute laboratory experiments, has enabled formulating hypothesis on the possible mechanistic pathways. Hence, the aim of this mapping review is to gather preliminary evidence and substantiate possible physiological mechanisms underpinning the putative effects of breaking prolonged sitting on improving cognitive function among sedentary office workers. Mapping method We searched four databases to identify relevant studies that explored the effects of uninterrupted sitting on cognitive function. First, we introduce how prolonged sitting increases the risks of hyperglycemia, autonomic stability, inflammation, adverse hormonal changes and restrictions in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and alters cognitive function. Second, we elucidate the direct and indirect effects of breaking up prolonged sitting time that may prevent a decline in cognitive performance by influencing glycaemic variability, autonomic stability, hormones (brain derived neurotrophic factor, dopamine, serotonin), vascular functions, and CBF. We highlight the importance of breaking up prolonged sitting on metabolic, vascular and endocrine functions, which in turn may improve cognitive functions and eventually foster work productivity. Improved synaptic transmission or neuroplasticity due to increased brain glucose and mitochondrial metabolism, increased endothelial shear and CBF, increased brain neurotrophic factors (dopamine) and accelerated anti-inflammatory functions are some of the hypothetical mechanisms underpinning improved cognitive functions. Conclusion We postulate that improving cognitive function by breaking up prolonged sitting periods is biologically plausible with the myriad of (suggested) physiological mechanisms. Future experimental studies to ascertain the aforementioned hypothetical mechanisms and clinical trials to break sedentary behavior and improve cognitive functions in sedentary office workers are warranted.

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How Does Definition of Minimum Break Length Affect Objective Measures of Sitting Outcomes Among Office Workers?

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2015-0658 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 8-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Stine Kloster ◽

Ida Høgstedt Danquah ◽

Andreas Holtermann ◽

Mette Aadahl ◽

Janne Schurmann Tolstrup

Keyword(s):

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Research Field ◽

Office Workers ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Objective Measures ◽

Standard Definition ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Sit To Stand ◽

Definition Of ◽

The Right

Background:Harmful health effects associated with sedentary behavior may be attenuated by breaking up long periods of sitting by standing or walking. However, studies assess interruptions in sitting time differently, making comparisons between studies difficult. It has not previously been described how the definition of minimum break duration affects sitting outcomes. Therefore, the aim was to address how definitions of break length affect total sitting time, number of sit-to-stand transitions, prolonged sitting periods and time accumulated in prolonged sitting periods among office workers.Methods:Data were collected from 317 office workers. Thigh position was assessed with an ActiGraph GT3X+ fixed on the right thigh. Data were exported with varying bout length of breaks. Afterward, sitting outcomes were calculated for the respective break lengths.Results:Absolute numbers of sit-to-stand transitions decreased, and number of prolonged sitting periods and total time accumulated in prolonged sitting periods increased, with increasing minimum break length. Total sitting time was not influenced by varying break length.Conclusions:The definition of minimum break length influenced the sitting outcomes with the exception of total sitting time. A standard definition of break length is needed for comparison and interpretation of studies in the evolving research field of sedentary behavior.

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Self-tracking of/and time: From technological to biographical and political temporalities of work and sitting

New Media & Society ◽

10.1177/1461444820983324 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 146144482098332

Author(s):

Paula Saukko ◽

Amie Weedon

Keyword(s):

Public Sector ◽

Work Conditions ◽

Free Time ◽

Office Workers ◽

Sitting Time ◽

User Experiences ◽

Tracking Devices

Self-tracking devices have been observed to accelerate time, be used sporadically and busyness being a barrier to use at work. Drawing on notion of multiple temporalities, this article expands the focus on temporalities of users’ engagement with technologies to analysing them within broader biographical, institutional and political times. The argument is grounded in interviews with UK public sector office workers self-tracking sitting time that featured the following three themes: (1) the participants related their sitting to deteriorated work conditions after government austerity politics and redundancies, (2) the pressurised rhythm of work made it difficult to reduce sitting time and fostered a sense of discontent and powerlessness and (3) the workers did not self-track in their free time, defined as free from monitoring. We suggest that the analytical lens of multiple temporalities expands understanding of user experiences as well as illuminates lived contemporary political and institutional times, characterised by both discontent and powerlessness.

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Effectiveness of workplace exercise interventions in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders in office workers: a protocol of a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038854 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. e038854

Author(s):

Carlos Tersa-Miralles ◽

Roland Pastells-Peiró ◽

Francesc Rubí-Carnacea ◽

Filip Bellon ◽

Esther Rubinat Arnaldo

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Office Workers ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

Physical Strength ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Randomised Controlled

IntroductionPhysical inactivity due to changes in our society towards more sedentary behaviours is leading to health problems. Increasing physical activity might be a good strategy to improve physical strength and reduce the prevalence of illnesses associated with prolonged sitting. Office workers exhibit a sedentary lifestyle with short rest periods or even without pauses during the workday. It is important to perform workplace interventions to treat musculoskeletal disorders caused by prolonged sitting and lack of movement adopted on the office setting. This article describes a protocol for a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise interventions on office workers in their work environment.Methods and analysisA literature search will be performed in the PubMed, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, Scopus, ISI WoS and PeDRO databases for randomised controlled trials and studies published from 1 January 2010 to 31 July 2020 in English or Spanish. The participants will be office workers who spend most of their work time in a sitting position. The interventions performed will include any type of exercise intervention in the workplace. The outcome measures will vary in accordance with the aim of the intervention observed. The results of the review and the outcomes from the studies reviewed will be summarised with a narrative synthesis. The review protocol was developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required. The review outcomes and the additional data obtained will be disseminated through publications and in scientific conferences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020177462.

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Simple intermittent resistance activity mitigates the detrimental effect of prolonged unbroken sitting on arterial function in overweight and obese adults

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00544.2018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 125 (6) ◽

pp. 1787-1794 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Rachel E. Climie ◽

Michael J. Wheeler ◽

Megan Grace ◽

Elisabeth A. Lambert ◽

Neale Cohen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Shear Rate ◽

Adhesion Molecule ◽

Femoral Artery ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Obese Adults ◽

Arterial Function ◽

Endothelin 1 ◽

Prolonged Sitting

Prolonged sitting contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The underlying mechanisms are unknown but may include changes in arterial function and vasoactive mediators. We examined the effects of prolonged unbroken sitting, relative to regular active interruptions to sitting time, on arterial function in adults at increased CVD risk. In a randomized crossover trial, 19 sedentary overweight/obese adults (mean ± SD age 57 ± 12 yr) completed 2 laboratory-based conditions: 5 h uninterrupted sitting (SIT) and 5 h sitting interrupted every 30 min by 3 min of simple resistance activities (SRA). Femoral artery function [flow-mediated dilation (FMD)], blood flow, and shear rate were measured at 0 h, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 5 h. Brachial FMD was assessed at 0 and 5 h. Plasma was collected hourly for measurement of endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitrates/nitrites, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). There was a significant decline in femoral artery FMD, averaged over 5 h in the SIT condition, relative to SRA ( P < 0.001). Plasma ET-1 total area under the curve over 5 h increased in the SIT condition compared with SRA ( P = 0.006). There was no significant difference between conditions in femoral or brachial shear rate, brachial FMD, nitrates/nitrites, VCAM-1, or ICAM-1 ( P > 0.05 for all). Five hours of prolonged sitting, relative to regular interruptions to sitting time, impaired femoral artery vasodilator function and increased circulating ET-1 in overweight/obese adults. There is the need to build on this evidence beyond acute observations to better understand the potential longer-term vascular-related consequences of prolonged sitting. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to examine the effect of prolonged sitting on arterial function in adults at increased cardiovascular disease risk. We have shown that 5 h of prolonged sitting, relative to regular interruptions to sitting time, impaired femoral artery vasodilator function and increased circulating endothelin-1 in overweight/obese adults. There is now the need to build on this evidence beyond acute observations to better understand the potential longer-term vascular-related consequences of prolonged sitting.

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Addressing physical inactivity in Omani adults: perceptions of public health managers

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980012005678 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 674-681 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Ruth M Mabry ◽

Zakiya Q Al-Busaidi ◽

Marina M Reeves ◽

Neville Owen ◽

Elizabeth G Eakin

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

Ecological Model ◽

Adult Population ◽

Arabian Gulf ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Culturally Sensitive Interventions ◽

Health Managers

AbstractObjectiveTo explore barriers and solutions to addressing physical inactivity and prolonged sitting in the adult population of Oman.DesignQualitative study involving semi-structured interviews that took place from October 2011 to January 2012. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling. Data collection and analysis was an iterative process; later interviews explored emerging themes. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed and continued until data saturation; this occurred by the tenth interviewee. Thematic content analysis was carried out, guided by an ecological model of health behaviour.SettingMuscat, Oman.SubjectsTen mid-level public health managers.ResultsBarriers for physical inactivity were grouped around four themes: (i) intrapersonal (lack of motivation, awareness and time); (ii) social (norms restricting women's participation in outdoor activity, low value of physical activity); (iii) environment (lack of places to be active, weather); and (iv) policy (ineffective health communication, limited resources). Solutions focused on culturally sensitive interventions at the environment (building sidewalks and exercise facilities) and policy levels (strengthening existing interventions and coordinating actions with relevant sectors). Participants’ responses regarding sitting time were similar to, but much more limited than those related to physical inactivity, except for community participation and voluntarism, which were given greater emphasis as possible solutions to reduce sitting time.ConclusionsGiven the increasing prevalence of chronic disease in Oman and the Arabian Gulf, urgent action is required to implement gender-relevant public health policies and programmes to address physical inactivity, a key modifiable risk factor. Additionally, research on the determinants of physical inactivity and prolonged sitting time is required to guide policy makers.

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