scholarly journals An mHealth Workplace-Based “Sit Less, Move More” Program: Impact on Employees’ Sedentary and Physical Activity Patterns at Work and Away from Work

Author(s):  
Judit Bort-Roig ◽  
Emilia Chirveches-Pérez ◽  
Maria Giné-Garriga ◽  
Lydia Navarro-Blasco ◽  
Roser Bausà-Peris ◽  
...  

Background: Most workplace interventions that aim to reduce sedentary behaviour have 38 focused on employees’ sedentary patterns at-work but less have focused on understanding the 39 impact beyond working time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a 13-week m-40 health workplace-based ‘sit less, move more’ intervention (Walk@WorkApp; W@W-App) on 41 physical activity (PA) and sitting in desk-based employees at-work and away from work. Methods: Participants (n = 141) were assigned by hospital to an intervention group (IG; used the W@W-App; n = 90) or an active comparison group (A-CG; monitored occupational activity; n = 51). The W@W-App, installed on the participants´ own smartphones, provided real-time feedback for occupational sitting, standing, and stepping, and gave access to automated strategies to sit less and move more at work. Changes between groups were assessed for total sitting time, sedentary bouts and breaks, and light and moderate-to-vigorous PA (activPAL3TM; min/day) between the baseline and after program completion. Results: Compared to the A-CG, employees that used the W@W-App program increased their number of daily breaks and the time spent on short sedentary bouts (<20 min, p = 0.047) during weekends. Changes in shortest sedentary bouts (5–10 min) during weekends were also statistically significant (p < 0.05). No changes in workday PA or sitting were observed. Conclusion: Desk-based employees seemed to transfer the W@W-App program knowledge outside of work. Evaluating the impact of workplace (mHealth-based or not) interventions at work but also away from work would provide a better understating of the impact of such interventions.

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 985-995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanette I. Candelaria ◽  
James F. Sallis ◽  
Terry L. Conway ◽  
Brian E. Saelens ◽  
Lawrence D. Frank ◽  
...  

Background:The study aim was to assess the relation of parent status to physical activity (PA) and the impact of parental roles, age and number of children on PA.Methods:Data for 909 women and 965 men, aged 20–57, were analyzed. Mixed Models were used to assess differences in PA between parents and adults without children, with analyses stratified by sex. The primary outcome was accelerometer-measured total daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA).Results:Parenthood was not related to MVPA, but mothers reported more total PA than nonmothers. For mothers and fathers, self-reported household activity was higher and sitting time lower, compared with nonparents. Both men and women with children aged 0–5 reported the highest household activity and the lowest sitting time, with household PA higher and sitting time lower with more children. There was no evidence that leisure, transport, or occupational activity varied by parenthood.Conclusions:Considering the potential impact of child-rearing on parent time demands, there was little difference in parents’ objectively measured MVPA compared with nonparents. Educational interventions or extracurricular programs for students and parents could target families with school-aged children. Development of tools to obtain parent reports of child care-specific PA behaviors would be useful.


Author(s):  
Matthew Pears ◽  
Susanna Kola-Palmer ◽  
Liane Beretta De Azevedo

Abstract Objective The primary aim of this study was to investigate the association between physical activity (PA) and sitting time on adults’ mental health (i.e., depression, anxiety and wellbeing) and the influence of mediators and confounders. Methods An online survey was disseminated in the UK between May and June 2020. A total of 284 participants (33.5 ± 12.4 years) self-reported their PA, sitting time and mental health through validated questionnaires. Results Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that being of younger age, female, on a lower income, with one or more comorbid health conditions, with a previous diagnosis of mood disorder and increased sitting time independently correlated with higher depression scores (F (13,219) = 12.31, p < 0.001), and explained 42% of the variance. Similar results were found for wellbeing where socio-demographic, health outcomes and sitting time influenced the subjective wellbeing (F (14,218) = 5.77, p < 0.001, 27% variance), although only socio-demographic and health outcomes contributed to the variation in anxiety score (F (13,219) = 7.84, p < 0.001, 32% variance). PA did not explain variation when sitting time was taken into account in any of the models. Combined analysis revealed that participants with lower sedentary time (< 8 h) and with both low or moderate and high PA presented a significantly lower depression score [low PA: (B = −2.7, 95% CI −4.88, −0.52); moderate and high PA (B = −2.7, −4.88, −0.52)]. Conclusion Sitting time was strongly associated with adverse mental health during COVID-19 lockdown and should be considered in future public health recommendations.


2021 ◽  
pp. 0145482X2110466
Author(s):  
Justin A. Haegele ◽  
Xihe Zhu ◽  
Sean Healy

Introduction: This study sought to examine: (a) the associations between physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep duration, as discrete behaviors, with depression among adults with visual impairments; and (b) the impact of meeting none, one, two, or three of the guidelines for these behaviors on depression among adults with visual impairments. Materials: One hundred eighty-two ( Mage = 44.8) adults with visual impairments, recruited via email through two visual impairment organizations in the United States, completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form, a sleep duration question, the Major Depression Inventory, and a demographic questionnaire. Based on results from the questionnaires, dichotomous variables for meeting or not meeting physical activity, sleep, and sitting guidelines were created. Data were analyzed using three components: a descriptive analysis, Pearson product-moment correlation analyses, and hierarchical regression analyses. Results: Overall, 14.8% of participants were categorized as having some degree of depression. Meeting the sleep guideline was a significant negative predictor of depression scores in the hierarchical regression analyses. The number of guidelines met was a negative predictor for depression score controlling for other variables. Discussion: Adequate sleep, as well as meeting all three guidelines synergistically, was meaningful in influencing depression among this population. The current study’s results should prompt the continued examination of health-behaviors among adults with visual impairment using a more holistic 24-hour activity cycle framework. Implications for practitioners: This study supports the utilization of multi-behavioral interventions to reduce the risk of depression by enhancing physical activity and sleep, while reducing sitting time, among this population.


Children ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Contardo Ayala ◽  
Jo Salmon ◽  
David Dunstan ◽  
Lauren Arundell ◽  
Kate Parker ◽  
...  

This study examined two-year changes in patterns of activity and associations with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) among adolescents. Inclinometers (activPAL) assessed sitting, sitting bouts, standing, stepping, and breaks from sitting. ActiGraph-accelerometers assessed sedentary time (SED), light-intensity physical activity (LIPA, stratified as low- and high-LIPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Anthropometric measures were objectively assessed at baseline and self-reported at follow-up. Data from 324 and 67 participants were obtained at baseline and follow-up, respectively. Multilevel mixed-effects linear regression models examined changes over time, and associations between baseline values and BMI and WC at follow-up. There were significant increases in BMI (0.6 kg/m2) and durations of prolonged sitting (26.4 min/day) and SED (52 min/day), and significant decreases in stepping (−19 min/day), LIPA (−33 min/day), low-LIPA (−26 min/day), high-LIPA (−6.3 min/day), MVPA (−19 min/day), and the number of breaks/day (−8). High baseline sitting time was associated (p = 0.086) with higher BMI at follow-up. There were no significant associations between baseline sitting, prolonged sitting, LIPA, or MVPA with WC. Although changes in daily activity patterns were not in a favourable direction, there were no clear associations with BMI or WC. Research with larger sample sizes and more time points is needed.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Negm ◽  
Milad Yavarai ◽  
Gian Jhangri ◽  
Robert Haennel ◽  
Allyson Jones

Abstract BackgroundThe increase rate seen in Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) for younger patients has implications for future rehabilitation demands for primary and revision THA surgery. This study aims to determine the impact of a 6-week post-operative rehabilitation program designed for THA patients ≤ 60 years on physical activity (PA) and function compared to age- and a sex-matched control group received usual postoperative care at 12-week post-THA. MethodsIn this quasi-experimental study, a cohort of THA candidates was recruited during their 6-week postoperative visit to their surgeons. The out-patient rehabilitation program consisted of 12 structured exercise classes (2 hrs/class) over 6 weeks. Physical activity was assessed using Sense Wear Pro ArmbandTM [SWA]. Participants completed the Hip Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), and THA satisfaction questionnaire before and immediately after the intervention. ResultsThe intervention group took significantly more steps/day at the follow-up compared to baseline. The intervention group had a higher mean change in the number of weekly PA bouts than the control group. Within the intervention groups, all HOOS subscales were significantly higher at the follow-up compared to baseline. ConclusionThe augmented rehabilitation program may have immediate effects on pain relief and symptom reduction for patients (≤60 years) following THA.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Green Howard ◽  
Penny Gordon-Larsen ◽  
Amy Herring ◽  
Shufa Du ◽  
Barry Popkin

Background: Urbanization is associated with a decline in physical activity and an increase in CVD, particularly hypertension in lower and middle income countries. We investigate the impact of modernization-related declines in physical activity and pathways through body mass to hypertension in Chinese adults. Methods: Data come from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), a household-based study that covers 9 diverse Chinese provinces from 1991 to 2009 across eight waves of data (n=12,018 adults; aged 18-66). We used detailed activity recall across multiple domains (leisure, work, and home), 3 repeated 24-hour-dietary-recalls, measured anthropometry and blood pressure at each exam. We created a multi-level structural equation model in Mplus to estimate direct pathways from specific domains of physical activity to hypertension and indirect paths through BMI. All pathways, including pathways to physical activity domains, were adjusted for gender, age, socioeconomic factors, urbanicity and region. Hypertension-related dietary factors were included in all pathways to BMI and hypertension. Results: The impact of physical activity on hypertension was most notable in the direct pathway to hypertension. Occupational and leisure activity were significantly associated with hypertension (p-value < 0.001), and individuals who were more active were less likely to have hypertension. Estimated from this model, a typical active, highly-educated, high-income middle aged female has a 12% probability of having hypertension, compared to a 43% probability for a similar non-active woman. There was however no direct association between physical activity and BMI. Conclusions: In China, declining physical activity over 18 years of modernization is strongly and directly related to increasing hypertension prevalence, with little evidence for effects along the pathway through BMI. Given continued declines in leisure and occupational activity, it is unlikely that hypertension will decline without additional intervention.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1154-1160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam Kelly ◽  
Michael Harrison ◽  
Noel Richardson ◽  
Paula Carroll ◽  
Steve Robertson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Amid increasing concerns about rising obesity rates and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, physical activity (PA) is seen as a prophylactic to many chronic conditions affecting men. Men respond best to community-based PA programmes, using gender-specific promotional and delivery strategies. ‘Men on the Move’ (MOM) was developed on this basis and targeted inactive adult men in Ireland. Methods Sedentary men (n = 927; age = 50.7 ± 10.9 years; weight = 92.7 ± 16.0 kg; METS = 6.06 ± 2.13) were recruited across eight counties: four ‘intervention group’ (IG; n = 501) and four ‘comparison-in-waiting group’ (CG; n = 426). The MOM programme involved structured group exercise twice weekly for 12 weeks (W), along with health-related workshops with the groups maintained up to 52 W. Primary outcome measures [aerobic fitness, bodyweight and waist circumference (WC)] together with self-administered questionnaires were used to gather participant data at baseline, 12, 26 and 52 W. Results Results show a net positive effect on aerobic fitness, bodyweight and WC, with significant (P &lt; 0.05) net change scores observed in the IG compared to the CG (METS: 12 W = +2.20, 26 W = +1.89, 52 W = +0.92; weight: 12 W = −1.72 kg, 26 W = −1.95 kg, 52 W = −1.89 kg; WC: 12 W = −4.54 cm, 26 W = −2.69 cm, 52 W = −3.16 cm). The corresponding reduction in cardiovascular disease risk is particularly significant in the context of a previously inactive and overweight cohort. The high ‘dropout’ (42.7% presenting at 52 W), however, is of particular concern, with ‘dropouts’ having lower levels of aerobic fitness and higher bodyweight/WC at baseline. Conclusions Notwithstanding dropout issues, findings address an important gap in public health practice by informing the translational scale-up of a small controllable gender-specific PA intervention, MOM, to a national population-based PA intervention targeting inactive men.


Author(s):  
Wen-Yi Wang ◽  
Yu-Ling Hsieh ◽  
Ming-Chun Hsueh ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Yung Liao

Levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior among adolescents seem to vary within different settings, but few Asian studies have compared physical activity and sedentary activity patterns in adolescents across weekdays/weekends and during-school time/after-school time. This study aimed to provide objectively measured data describing intensity-specific physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns in Taiwanese adolescents. The results were sorted by gender and divided between weekdays/weekends and during-school time/after-school time. A total of 470 Taiwanese students (49.6% boys, ages 12–15 y) were recruited and fitted with GT3X+ accelerometers for seven days. Intensity-specific physical activity, total sedentary time, and sedentary bouts (number and duration ≥30 min) were measured. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine the significant differences in physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns between the genders on weekdays/weekends and during school/after-school time. The results show that the adolescents’ overall activity levels were below recommended thresholds, with girls engaging in significantly less moderate to vigorous physical activity, having longer sedentary time, longer time spent in sedentary bouts, and more frequent sedentary bouts than boys. Similar results were observed in physical activities of each intensity as well as sedentary behavior variables, both on weekdays/weekends and during-school/after-school periods. These findings emphasize the importance of developing and implementing approaches to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity, as well as decrease prolonged sedentary time and long sedentary bouts, especially for Taiwanese girls.


2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 456-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Kruger ◽  
Michelle M. Yore ◽  
Barbara E. Ainsworth ◽  
Caroline A. Macera

Background:Physical activity (PA) plays a major role in maintaining energy balance. We examined the patterns of occupational activity, strength training, and lifestyle PA (low, medium, high) by sex and race among persons trying to control their weight (lose weight, stay about the same, not trying to lose/not trying to stay about the same).Methods:Population data (N = 9258) from a nationwide telephone survey were collected to examine PA patterns. Domains of PA were analyzed by sex and race.Results:Of those trying to control their weight, approximately 24.0% engaged in strengthening activities 2 to 3 d/wk. Among those trying to lose weight, 48.2% versus 42.2% of men (White and non-White, respectively) and 40.4% versus 35.1% of women (White and non-White, respectively) reported high volumes of PA.Conclusions:PA patterns among persons trying to control their weight vary by sex and race. Adults trying to control their weight are encouraged to increase levels of PA.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl A. Howe ◽  
Ryan A. Harris ◽  
Bernard Gutin

Objective. To determine if a 10-month after-school physical activity (PA) intervention could prevent deleterious changes in body composition and cardiovascular (CV) fitness in young black boys.Methods. Following baseline measures, 106 boys (8–12 yrs) were randomized to either a control group or an intervention group, further divided into attenders (ATT) and nonattenders (NATT), participating in ≥60% or <60% of the intervention, respectively. The daily intervention consisted of skills development (25 min), vigorous PA (VPA, 35 min), and strengthening/stretching (20 min) components. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.Results. Following the intervention, the ATT exhibited an increase in moderate-to-vigorous PA and a significant reduction in BMI, fat mass, and %BF compared to the control group. A significant association among the intervention energy expenditure and changes in body composition and CV fitness was observed only in the ATT group.Conclusion. An after-school PA program of sufficient length and intensity can promote healthy changes in body composition and fitness levels in black boys who attend at least 3 days/week.


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