The Role of Executive Function in the Effectiveness of Multi-Component Interventions Targeting Physical Activity Behavior in Office Workers

A knowledge gap remains in understanding how to improve the intervention effectiveness in office workers targeting physically active (PA) behavior. We aim to identify the modifying effect of executive function (EF) on the intervention effectiveness targeting PA-behaviors, and to verify whether the observed effect varies by Job Demand Control (JDC) categories. This workplace-based intervention study included 245 participants who were randomized into a control group and two intervention arms—promoting physical activity (iPA) group or reducing sedentary behavior (iSED) group. The interventions were conducted through counselling-based cognitive behavioral therapy and team activities over 6 months. PA-behaviors were measured by an accelerometer. EF was assessed by the Trail Making Test-B, Stroop, and n-back test. The JDC categories were measured by the demand control questionnaire. Higher EF level at baseline was significantly associated with the intervention effect on increased sleep time (β-coefficient: 3.33, p = 0.003) and decreased sedentary time (−2.76, p = 0.049) in the iSED-group. Participants with active jobs (high job demands, high control) presented significantly increased light-intensity PA in the iSED-group in comparison to the control group. Among participants with a high level of EF and active jobs, relative to the control group, the iPA-group showed a substantial increase in light-intensity PA (1.58, p = 0.036) and the iSED-group showed a tendency of reducing sedentary behavior (−5.35, p = 0.054). The findings suggest that office workers with a high EF and active jobs may benefit most from an intervention study targeting PA-behaviors.

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Impact of Activity-Based Working and Height-Adjustable Desks on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Space Utilization among Office Workers: A Natural Experiment

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17010236 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 236

Author(s):

Takashi Jindo ◽

Yuko Kai ◽

Naruki Kitano ◽

Kyohsuke Wakaba ◽

Mitsuru Makishima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Object Detection ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Natural Experiment ◽

Working Hours ◽

Office Workers ◽

Control Group ◽

Space Utilization ◽

Office Environment ◽

Detection Analysis

It has been reported that office environment is an important determinant of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) in office workers. However, the effect of changes in office environment (office renovation) is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine PA, SB, and space utilization changes among office workers in response to office renovation. This study was a natural experiment at three offices of a single company in Tokyo, Japan. The participants were, 13 workers from one office in the renovation group (mean age: 37.9 ± 10.8 years, percentage of females: 23.1%) and 29 from two offices in the control group (mean age: 42.3 ± 11.2 years, percentage of females: 31.0%). In the renovation, introduction of activity-based working (ABW) and installation of height-adjustable desks (HAD) were adopted. The ABW office was designed to provide various shared workstations, enabling the workers to choose workstations depending on their task or mood. Accelerometer measurement and object detection method using artificial intelligence (AI) technology for video images were used to assess behavior and space utilization before and after the renovation. Two weeks after the renovation, significant improvements in SB (pre- to post-renovation improvements: 346.8 ± 28.6 to 321.2 ± 17.8 min/working-hours) and PA (total PA: 173.2 ± 28.6 to 198.8 ± 17.8 min/working-hours; and light-intensity PA: 130.4 ± 27.1 to 150.7 ± 31.0 min/working-hours) were observed. In addition, the results of the object detection analysis showed that the central aisle of the office and shared HAD workstations near the entrance or window were utilized more frequently than the other spaces. This study suggested that office renovation could improve SB and PA immediately after the renovation. Moreover, utilized spaces and HAD workstations could play an important role to enhance employees’ activity in an ABW office.

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Sit-Stand Desks To Reduce Workplace Sitting Time In Office Workers With Abdominal Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2016-0384 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. 710-715 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Brittany T. MacEwen ◽

Travis J. Saunders ◽

Dany J. MacDonald ◽

Jamie F. Burr

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Abdominal Obesity ◽

Cardiometabolic Risk ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Work Hours ◽

Office Workers ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Control Group ◽

Standing Time

Background:Sit-stand desks reduce workplace sitting time among healthy office workers; however, their metabolic and behavioral impact in higher risk populations remains unknown.Methods:25 office workers with abdominal obesity were randomized to an intervention (sit-stand workstation) or control group (seated desk) for 12 weeks. Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed before and after the intervention period in both groups.Results:In comparison with the control group, which did not change, the intervention group experienced significant reductions in workday (344 ± 107 to 186 ± 101 min/day) and total (645 ± 140 to 528 ± 91 min/day) sitting time, as well as increases in workday standing time (154 ± 108 to 301 ± 101 min/day, P < .05). There were no changes in sitting or standing time outside of work hours, steps taken each day, or any marker of cardiometabolic risk in either group (all P > .05).Conclusion:Sit-stand desks were effective in reducing workplace sedentary behavior in an at-risk population, with no change in sedentary behavior or physical activity outside of work hours. However, these changes were not sufficient to improve markers of cardiometabolic risk in this population.

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Association Between Light Intensity Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior Among Active Older Women

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000535776.03726.6c ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 50 (5S) ◽

pp. 209-210

Author(s):

Luis Adriano Lima ◽

Diana Carolina Gonzalez ◽

João Pedro Silva Junior ◽

Timóteo Leandro Araujo ◽

Sandra Mahecha Matsudo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Light Intensity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Older Women ◽

Intensity Physical Activity

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Capturing the Pattern of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior: Exposure Variation Analysis of Accelerometer Data

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2012-0105 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 614-625 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Leon Straker ◽

Amity Campbell ◽

Svend Erik Mathiassen ◽

Rebecca Anne Abbott ◽

Sharon Parry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Public Health Research ◽

Office Workers ◽

Accelerometer Data ◽

Variation Analysis ◽

Occupational Groups ◽

Time Pattern ◽

Exposure Variation Analysis ◽

First Time

Background:Capturing the complex time pattern of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) using accelerometry remains a challenge. Research from occupational health suggests exposure variation analysis (EVA) could provide a meaningful tool. This paper (1) explains the application of EVA to accelerometer data, (2) demonstrates how EVA thresholds and derivatives could be chosen and used to examine adherence to PA and SB guidelines, and (3) explores the validity of EVA outputs.Methods:EVA outputs are compared with accelerometer data from 4 individuals (Study 1a and1b) and 3 occupational groups (Study 2): seated workstation office workers (n = 8), standing workstation office workers (n = 8), and teachers (n = 8).Results:Line graphs and related EVA graphs highlight the use of EVA derivatives for examining compliance with guidelines. EVA derivatives of occupational groups confirm no difference in bouts of activity but clear differences as expected in extended bouts of SB and brief bursts of activity, thus providing evidence of construct validity.Conclusions:EVA offers a unique and comprehensive generic method that is able, for the first time, to capture the time pattern (both frequency and intensity) of PA and SB, which can be tailored for both occupational and public health research.

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Effect of a 12-week workplace interview intervention on physical activity and low back pain: a single-center, randomized controlled study

10.21203/rs.2.20881/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kazuhiro Shimo ◽

Mami Hasegawa ◽

Seiko Mizutani ◽

Tomomi Hasegawa ◽

Takahiro Ushida

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Physical Therapist ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Office Workers ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Low Back ◽

Face To Face

Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) is essential in the management and rehabilitation of low back pain (LBP). However, it is not clear if workplace PA interventions can improve LBP. This study aimed to investigate the effects of workplace interview intervention on increasing PA and improving LBP among office workers. Methods We recruited 37 workers of a manufacturing company in Aichi, Japan. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n=20) or control group (n=17). We affixed waist-worn accelerometers to monitor PA in all participants, and provided face-to-face counseling with a physical therapist or nurse once a week for 12 weeks as workplace PA program to reassurance and encourage participants to keep high levels of PA. PA and LBP severity were assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Results Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups, but PA was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group at 3 and 6 months. In the intervention group, was PA significantly increased at 3 and 6 months from baseline and LBP severity improved significantly at 6 months from baseline. We calculated the effect size of the interview intervention, and found that workplace interview intervention had a medium to large effect on PA and LBP severity. Conclusions Our data suggests that workplace PA intervention can increase PA and improve LBP among office workers. Trial registration UMIN-CTR Clinical Trial UMIN000038864 (https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000044321). Registered 12 December 2019, retrospectively registered.

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Classroom Standing Desks and Time-Series Variation in Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity among Primary School Children

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16111892 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (11) ◽

pp. 1892 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Tetsuhiro Kidokoro ◽

Yasuo Shimizu ◽

Kanako Edamoto ◽

Michael Annear

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Time Series ◽

Primary School ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

School Children ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Control Group ◽

School Time ◽

Intensity Physical Activity

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of height-adjustable standing desks on time-series variation in sedentary behavior (SB) among primary school children. Thirty-eight children aged 11–12 years (22 boys and 16 girls) from two classes at a primary school in Nagano, Japan, participated in this study. One class was allocated as the intervention group and provided with individual standing desks for 6 months, and the other was allocated as the control group. Time spent in SB, light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) was measured using accelerometers (ActiGraph) at baseline and follow-up. Time spent in SB was significantly lower by 18.3 min/day on average in the intervention class at follow-up (interaction effects: F(1, 36) = 4.95, p = 0.035, η2 = 0.082). This was accompanied by a significant increase in time spent in MVPA (+19.9 min/day on average). Our time-series analysis showed significant decreases in SB during school time, while no change in SB was found during non-school time. This result indicates that the use of standing desks promotes an overall reduction in SB with no compensatory increase during non-school time.

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Daily School Physical Activity Improves Academic Performance

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports8060083 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 83

Author(s):

Jesper Fritz ◽

Marcus E. Cöster ◽

Björn E. Rosengren ◽

Caroline Karlsson ◽

Magnus K. Karlsson

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Academic Performance ◽

Intervention Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Compulsory School ◽

Final Grade ◽

School Based ◽

Percentage Points ◽

Upper Secondary ◽

The Mean

Physical activity (PA) may improve brain development, cognition, concentration and academic performance. In this prospective controlled intervention study, we increased the level of PA in 338 children aged 6–8 years at study start, from the Swedish standard of 60 min per week to 200 min per week (40 min daily). The intervention continued in all nine compulsory school years until the students graduated between 2007–2012. All other 689,881 Swedish children who graduated the same years were included as a control group. We registered at graduation eligibility rate for upper secondary school and the final grade score (from 0 to 320 grade points). We also registered the same end points in the 295 students in the index school and in all other 471,926 Swedish students who graduated in 2003–2006, that is, those who graduated before the intervention study started. Before the intervention, academic performance was similar among children in the index school as for all other Swedish boys and girls. With the intervention, the eligibility rate increased for boys in the index school by 7.3 percentage points and the mean grade scores by 13.3 points. This should be compared with a decrease of 0.8 percentage points in eligibility rate and an increase by 2.7 points in grade score in other Swedish boys. No changes were seen for intervention girls, neither in eligibility rates or grade scores. By introducing daily school-based PA in compulsory school, more boys would probably reach the eligibility rate for higher education.

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Effects of a randomized controlled study on the behaviors of overweight schoolchildren

Revista Brasileira de Atividade Física & Saúde ◽

10.12820/rbafs.26e0221 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 ◽

Author(s):

Anastácio Neco de Souza Filho ◽

Thaynã Alves Bezerra ◽

Paulo Felipe Ribeiro Bandeira ◽

Luciana Gatto Azevedo Cabral ◽

José Fernando Vila Nova de Moraes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Randomized Controlled Study ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Daily Routine ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

School Based ◽

Significant Difference

This study aimed to determine the effects of a school-based multi-component intervention on accelerometer- measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) in schoolchildren overweight. This is a randomized controlled study with overweight schoolchildren, allocated to experimental group (EG; n = 13; 7.6 ± 0.8 years; 42.9% boys) and control group (CG; n = 17; 8.2 ± 0.9 years; 26.7% boys). The EG was submitted to a 10-week school-based intervention, comprised of PA and psychological sessions (behavioral therapy), and nutritional guidance. The CG followed the daily routine of life. The time of PA and SB were measured using accelerometers used for seven days. To compare mean SB, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity (TPA), generalized estimation equations (GEE) were used. It was observed that the average time in MVPA and TPA increased significantly in EG at the weekend (+ 40.9 min / day, p < 0.001; and + 51.6 min/day, p = 0.035, respectively) and at full week (+ 62.9 min/day, p < 0.001; and + 225.0 9 min/day, p = 0.038, respectively). There was no significant difference in time spent in SB after the intervention in both groups. Thus, it was concluded that the proposed school-based multicomponent intervention was effective in increasing levels of MVPA and TPA in overweight schoolchildren. This finding can optimize future interventions to promote a healthy lifestyle for schoolchildren in the school environment.

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Children’s Cortisol and Cell-Free DNA Trajectories in Relation to Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity in School: A Longitudinal Analysis

10.20944/preprints201804.0182.v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Christoph Becker ◽

Sebastian Schmidt ◽

Elmo Neuberger ◽

Peter Kirsch ◽

Perikles Simon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Linear Models ◽

Compositional Data ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Compositional Data Analysis ◽

Sampled Data ◽

Bayesian Hierarchical ◽

Biological Stress

Education outside the classroom (EOtC) can be beneficial for students. The relationship between biological stress markers and sedentary behavior (SB) plus physical activity (PA) is insufficiently evaluated in school settings. This exploratory study aims to evaluate the association between students’ cortisol, plus circulating cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid (cfDNA) levels, and their SB, light PA (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) during outdoor and indoor classes in different seasons. We assessed data from an education outside the classroom (EOtC) program (n = 48; intervention group [IG], n = 37; control group [CG], n = 11). We sampled data on 3 school-days in three seasons (fall, spring, and summer) in normal teaching indoors (CG) and outdoor lessons (IG) in the forest. SB and PA were evaluated by accelerometry, and cortisol and cfDNA levels by saliva samples. The compositional data analysis approach analyzed SB and PA. Fitted Bayesian hierarchical linear models evaluated the association between cortisol and cfDNA, and SB/LPA/MVPA. A steady decline of cortisol in the outdoor setting is associated with relatively high levels of LPA. SB and MVPA tended to exhibit a similar effect in the indoor setting. CfDNA is positively associated with a relatively high amount of SB in the IG, the same association is likely for LPA and MVPA in both groups. LPA seems to support a healthy cortisol decrease in children during outdoor lessons. The relevance of SB/PA as a composition in relation to students stress response in school should be emphasized. This study facilitates the formulation of straightforward and directed hypotheses for further research.

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