Working from Home After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Do Company Employees Sit More and Move Less?

Background–Several non-pharmaceutical policies, which include stay-at-home orders, mobility restrictions, and quarantine, have been implemented to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present study examines work style changes among company workers after COVID-19 and analyses their effects on workers’ domain-specific sedentary and active behaviours. Methods - We analysed data from a nationwide prospective online survey in Japan. The data were obtained in February 2019 (n = 3200) and in July 2020 (n = 1709) from the registered individuals of a Japanese internet research service company. The participants reported work style patterns before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 in the follow-up survey. Domain-specific sedentary behaviours and physical activities were assessed by questionnaires. Paired t-tests were used to compare work styles before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the associations between changes in work style and changes in sedentary behaviours and physical activities. Results. Workers had more working from home days and fewer office-based working days after the outbreak of COVID-19 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The increase in the number of working from home days per week was significantly associated with increases in work-related sitting time and total sitting time (b = 0.16, 95% CI 0.08, 0.24, p < 0.001 and b = 0.23, 95% CI 0.11, 0.36, p < 0.001, respectively). However, it was also associated with a decrease in car sitting time (b = −0.04, 95% CI −0.06, -0.01, p < 0.001). In addition, the increase in the number of working from home days was associated with a decrease in work-related moderate physical activity (b =−0.06, 95% CI −0.10, −0.02, p < 0.001). Conclusions. Our study provided preliminary evidence of an increase in working from home days in response to COVID-19 in Japan and of how this increase in the number of working from home days has affected workers’ sedentary behaviours and physical activities. These findings shed light on the effects of COVID-19 on work styles and workers’ sedentary behaviours and physical activity.

Download Full-text

Impact of COVID-19 confinement on the time and intensity of physical activity in the Spanish population

10.21203/rs.3.rs-26074/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Arkaitz Castañeda-Babarro ◽

Ane Arbillaga-Etxarri ◽

Borja Gutiérrez-Santamaria ◽

Aitor Coca

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Young People ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Physical Activities ◽

Spanish Population ◽

Sitting Time ◽

P Value ◽

Moderate Physical Activity ◽

Moderate Activity ◽

Vigorous Activity

Abstract Background The lockdown and social distancing caused by COVID-19 may influence common healthy behaviour. Due to the unprecedent worldwide confinement in which Spain has been one of the most affected with severe rules governing confinement, physical activity and sedentarism may change due to prolonged stays at home. The aim of this study is to evaluate how physical activity and sedentary time have changed during confinement in the Spanish population. Methods 3800 healthy adults (age ≥ 18 - ≤64 years) residing in Spain were asked during confinement. Sociodemographic data and self-reported physical activity data were collected twice by an International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short (IPAQ-S) between 23rd March and 1st April, and the analysis was carried out considering the achievement of general physical activity recommendations, different age ranges and baseline physical activity levels. Results Physical activity decreased significantly during confinement in all population. Vigorous activities and walking time decreased by 16.8% (p-value > 0.001) and 58.2% (p-value > 0.001) respectively, whereas sedentary time increased by 23.8% (p-value > 0.001). The fulfilment of 75 min/week of vigorous activity recommendation decreased by 10.7% (p-value < 0.001) while the amount of people who reached to 150 min/week of moderate activity barely changed (1.4%, (p-value 0.117)). The group that performed more vigorous physical activities before confinement showed the greatest decrease (30.5%, p-value > 0.001). Men reduced more the time in vigorous activity than women (21% vs 9%, respectively) who even increased time in moderate physical activity by 11% (p-value < 0.05) and showed less increase in sitting time than men (35% vs 25.3%, respectively). Young people and students showed the highest decrease in all physical activities. Conclusions The Spanish adult population, especially young people, students and very active men, decreased daily physical activity and increased sedentary time during COVID-19 confinement.

Download Full-text

Changes in Workers’ Sedentary and Physical Activity Behaviors in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Relationships With Fatigue: Longitudinal Online Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.26293 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mohammad Javad Koohsari ◽

Tomoki Nakaya ◽

Gavin R McCormack ◽

Ai Shibata ◽

Kaori Ishii ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Public Transportation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Work Related ◽

Domain Specific

BACKGROUND Sedentary behaviors and physical activity are likely to be affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, and sedentary lifestyles can increase subjective fatigue. The nonpharmaceutical policies imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic may also have adverse effects on fatigue. OBJECTIVE This study has two aims: to examine the changes in sedentary behaviors and physical activity of company workers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan and to examine relationships between changes in these sedentary behaviors and physical activity and changes in fatigue. METHODS Data from a nationwide prospective online survey conducted in 2019 and 2020 were used. On February 22, 2019, an email with a link to participate in the study was sent to 45,659 workers, aged 20 to 59 years, who were randomly selected from a database of approximately 1 million individuals. A total of 2466 and 1318 participants, who self-reported their occupation as company workers, answered the baseline and follow-up surveys, respectively. Surveys captured fatigue, workday and daily domain-specific sedentary behaviors and physical activity, and total sedentary behaviors and physical activity. We used multivariable linear regression models to estimate associations of changes in sedentary behaviors and physical activity with changes in fatigue. RESULTS Increases in public transportation sitting during workdays, other leisure sitting time during workdays, and other leisure sitting time were associated with an increase in the motivation aspect of fatigue (b=0.29, 95% CI 0-0.57, P=.048; b=0.40, 95% CI 0.18-0.62, P<.001; and b=0.26, 95% CI 0.07-0.45, P=.007, respectively). Increases in work-related sitting time during workdays, total sitting time during workdays, and total work-related sitting time were significantly associated with an increase in the physical activity aspect of fatigue (b=0.06, 95% CI 0-0.12, P=.03; b=0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.09, P=.02; and b=0.07, 95% CI 0-0.14, P=.04, respectively). The motivation and physical activity aspects of fatigue increased by 0.06 for each 1-hour increase in total sitting time between baseline and follow-up (b=0.06, 95% CI 0-0.11, P=.045; and b=0.06, 95% CI 0.01-0.10, P=.009, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrated that sedentary and active behaviors among company workers in Japan were negatively affected during the COVID-19 outbreak. Increases in several domain-specific sedentary behaviors also contributed to unfavorable changes in workers’ fatigue. Social distancing and teleworking amid a pandemic may contribute to the sedentary lifestyle of company workers. Public health interventions are needed to mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic or future pandemics on sedentary and physical activity behaviors and fatigue among company workers.

Download Full-text

Using “Stages of Behavioral Change” Constructs to Measure the Short-Term Effects of a Worksite-Based Intervention to Increase Moderate Physical Activity

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1998.82.2.615 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 82 (2) ◽

pp. 615-618 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Galen Cole ◽

Sharon Hammond ◽

Bruce Leonard ◽

Fred Fridinger

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Stages Of Change ◽

Transtheoretical Model ◽

Moderate Physical Activity ◽

Short Term ◽

Incentive Program ◽

Maintenance Stage ◽

Before And After ◽

Change Concept ◽

Short Term Effects

We evaluated a three-level incentive program to promote regular, moderate physical activity among employees working in a federal agency. The objective was to assess the short-term effects of the intervention by examining the stages people go through as they attempt to make permanent changes in physical activity. Indicators of the process by which changes in physical activity take place were based on a modified version of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior. A one-group pretest/posttest design was used to ascertain which of the stages the 1,192 participants were in both before and after the intervention. Analysis indicated that, of the 1,192 participants, 6.5% regressed one or more stages, 30.3% did not regress or progress from one stage to another, 27.7% remained in the maintenance stage, and 35.4% progressed one (21.1%) or more (14.3%) stages during the 50-day intervention. Among those who progressed, the most common change was from preparation to late preparation (20.8%) and from late preparation to action (19.4%). Findings reinforce the notion that the stages of change concept can serve as indicators of the change process which, in turn, can be used as evidence of the short-term effectiveness of interventions. Findings also indicate this type of intervention holds promise for increasing physical activity among willing participants of a worksite population.

Download Full-text

Impact of Moderate Individually Tailored Physical Activity in Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Fatigue on Functional, Cognitive, Emotional State, and Postural Stability

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11091214 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 1214

Author(s):

Justyna Redlicka ◽

Ewa Zielińska-Nowak ◽

Anna Lipert ◽

Elżbieta Miller

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Postural Stability ◽

Emotional State ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Moderate Physical Activity ◽

Fatigue Syndrome ◽

Before And After ◽

Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease, with fatigue syndrome as one of the main symptoms. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that moderate physical activity (MPA) may have a beneficial effect on postural stability, balance, and clinical parameters. The research group consisted of 137 randomized patients hospitalized at the Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Medical University of Lodz. Finally, 76 patients were qualified who were divided into two groups—high fatigue (HF) and low fatigue (LF). Participants were assessed twice: before and after a 4-week MPA program using: the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and stabilometric platform tests were performed. Results obtained after the 4-week MPA program showed a positive effect of the MPA with differences between LF and HF groups. The MPA was more effective in MS patients with LF in cognitive functions, functional status, and postural stability but among HF patients in an emotional state, especially in MS patients below 65 years, although in total, both groups benefited from the MPA.

Download Full-text

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and Determinants Among Obese Teachers in Makassar, Indonesia

IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia ◽

10.31436/imjm.v18i2.100 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Nurzakiah Hasan MKM ◽

Veni Hadju ◽

Nurhaedar Jafar ◽

Ridwan M. Thaha

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Heart Diseases ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Moderate Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Family History Of Diabetes ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Study Population

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is related to the increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Teacher profession is an adult group with various risks of NCDs. This study aims to assess the determinants of the MetS in teachers with central obesity. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia with cross- sectional study design on 12 secondary schools. The number of samples in this study was 129 teachers. The prevalence of the MetS was determined using criteria from the Joint Interim Statement, while physical activity and sitting time were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: Respondents in our study were mostly women (78.3%) with an average age of 49.8 years. The prevalence of the MetS in our study population was 39.5%. The prevalence of the Mets was higher in Buginese ethnic (70.6%), respondents with more income (56.9%), bachelor degree (80.4%), married (98%), family history of diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension and heart diseases (52.9%), and moderate physical activity (37.3%). There was a significant relationship between sitting time 4 hours; p=0.004), parameters of Mets (p<0.001), LDL (p=0.026), and LDL/HDL ratio (p<0.001) with the Mets. Conclusions: The prevalence of the Mets is high among obese teachers in our study population. Sitting time was an important determinant for MetS among obese teachers.

Download Full-text

Fibrinolytic responses to acute physical activity in older hypertensive men

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1997.82.6.1765 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 82 (6) ◽

pp. 1765-1770 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Christopher A. Desouza ◽

Donald R. Dengel ◽

Marc A. Rogers ◽

Kim Cox ◽

Richard F. Macko

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Plasminogen Activator ◽

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor ◽

Tissue Type ◽

Moderate Physical Activity ◽

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ◽

Acute Bout ◽

Type Plasminogen Activator ◽

Before And After ◽

Pai 1

DeSouza, Christopher A., Donald R. Dengel, Marc A. Rogers, Kim Cox, and Richard F. Macko. Fibrinolytic responses to acute physical activity in older hypertensive men. J. Appl. Physiol. 82(6): 1765–1770, 1997.—We tested the hypothesis that the fibrinolytic response to acute physical activity is impaired in sedentary older hypertensive men, which may contribute to the risk of exertion-triggered acute myocardial infarction in this population. Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen and activity and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) antigen and activity were measured in 12 hypertensive (69 ± 1 yr) and 11 normotensive (64 ± 1 yr) men before and after an acute bout of submaximal exercise. Contrary to our hypothesis, there were no differences between the two groups in the fibrinolytic response to exercise. t-PA antigen and activity were significantly elevated in both the hypertensive (38 and 172%, respectively) and normotensive (45 and 130%, respectively) groups immediately after exercise but they returned to resting levels within 30 min. There was no change in PAI-1 antigen levels immediately after exercise in either group; however, PAI-1 antigen was significantly lower at 30 and 60 min postexercise in both the hypertensive (31 and 16%, respectively) and normotensive (35 and 20%, respectively) groups. PAI-1 activity was significantly lower immediately after exercise in both the hypertensive (25%) and normotensive (22%) groups and remained lower than preexercise levels at 30 min (23 and 26%, respectively) and 60 min (16 and 12%, respectively) postexercise in both groups. The results of this study demonstrate that the fibrinolytic response to an acute bout of moderate physical activity is not impaired in sedentary older hypertensive men.

Download Full-text

Changes in non-occupational sedentary behaviours across the retirement transition: the Finnish Retirement and Aging (FIREA) study

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ◽

10.1136/jech-2017-209958 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 72 (8) ◽

pp. 695-701 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Tuija Leskinen ◽

Anna Pulakka ◽

Olli J Heinonen ◽

Jaana Pentti ◽

Mika Kivimäki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Computer Use ◽

Television Viewing ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Activity Level ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Domain Specific ◽

Sedentary Behaviours ◽

Retirement Transition ◽

At Home

BackgroundRetirement is a major life transition which may influence health behaviours and time use. Little is known about how sedentary behaviour changes as a result of increased time availability after retirement. The aim of this study was to examine changes in non-occupational sedentary behaviours across the retirement transition. In addition, we examined which preretirement characteristics were associated with these changes.MethodsThe study population consisted of 2011 participants from the Finnish Retirement and Aging Study. Repeated postal survey including questions on sedentary behaviour domains (television viewing, computer use at home, sitting in a vehicle and other sitting) were conducted once a year across the retirement transition, covering on average 3.4 study waves. Linear regression with generalised estimating equations was used for the analyses.ResultsTotal sedentary time increased by 73 (95% CI 66 to 80) min/day during the retirement transition. Of the domain-specific sedentary behaviours, television viewing time increased by 28 (95% CI 25 to 32) min/day, computer use at home by 19 (95% CI 17 to 22) min/day and other sitting time by 37 (95% CI 33 to 41) min/day, while time sitting in a vehicle decreased by 6 (95% CI 4 to 9) min/day. Highest increase in total sedentary time was among women and persons who had high occupational sitting time, low physical activity level, sleep difficulties, mental disorders or poor health before retirement (all p values for interaction <0.03).ConclusionTotal and domain-specific sedentary time, except sitting in a vehicle, increased during the retirement transition.

Download Full-text

PERBANDINGAN KADAR KALIUM DARAH SEBELUM DAN SESUDAH AKTIVITAS FISIK INTENSITAS BERAT

Jurnal e-Biomedik ◽

10.35790/ebm.3.3.2015.11878 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Ronald J. Pokneangge ◽

Murniati . Tiho ◽

Yanti M. Mewo

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Serum Potassium ◽

Random Sampling ◽

Serum Potassium Level ◽

Simple Random Sampling ◽

Physical Activities ◽

T Test ◽

The Body ◽

Before And After ◽

Paired T Test

Abstract: Physical activities include all body movements ranging from a small movement to a movement that involves several large muscles such as lifting the arms and legs. During a physical activity, the body temperature will increase, and as a compensatory mechanism, the body will sweat and release several kinds of electrolyte such as magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Potassium is a macronutrient that is widely available in the intracellular fluid (ICF). The normal value of serum potassium is 3.5-5.0 mmol/L. This study aimed to obtain the comparison of blood potassium levels of fourth year students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Sam Ratulangi Manado, before and after vigorous physical activities. This was an experimental study with a one group pretest-posttest design. There were 21 male students as respondents obtained by using the simple random sampling method. Data were analyzed by using the paired t-test. The physical activity conducted was playing futsal for 2x20 minutes with a break of 10 minutes in between. The results showed that the average of serum potassium level before doing the physical activity was 3.7 mmol/L, and the average of the serum potassium level after doing physical activity was 3.8 mmol/L. The paired t-test showed a p value of 0.061 (p>0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference between serum potassium levels before and after vigorous physical activity, Keywords: potassium, physical activity, vigorous intensity Abstrak: Aktivitas fisik meliputi semua gerakan tubuh mulai dari gerakan kecil sampai gerakan yang melibatkan pergerakan beberapa otot besar seperti saat mengangkat lengan atau tungkai. Ketika melakukan aktivitas fisik, terjadi peningkatan suhu tubuh dan sebagai mekanisme kompensasinya tubuh akan mengeluarkan keringat dan beberapa jenis elektrolit misalnya magnesium, natrium dan kalium. Kalium merupakan salah satu makronutrien yang banyak terdapat dalam cairan intrasel (CIS). Nilai normal kalium serum yaitu 3,5-5,0 mmol/L. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perbandingan kadar kalium darah sebelum dan sesudah aktivitas fisik intensitas berat pada mahasiswa Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado angkatan tahun 2011. Jenis penelitian ini eksperimental dengan rancangan one group pretest-posttest design. Responden diperoleh menggunakan metode simple random sampling. Hasil pengukuran kadar kalium serum sebelum dan sesudah aktivitas fisik intensitas berat dianalisis menggunakan uji paired t-test. Aktivitas fisik yang dilakukan yaitu bermain futsal selama 2x20 menit dengan diselingi istirahat selama 10 menit. Hasil penelitian memperlihatkan dari 21 responden (laki-laki) rerata kadar kalium serum sebelum melakukan latihan fisik 3,7 mmol/L, dan rerata kadar kalium serum sesudah melakukan latihan fisik 3,8 mmol/L. Uji paired t test menunjukkan nilai p=0,061 (p>0,05). Simpulan: Tidak terdapat perbedaan bermakna antara kadar kalium serum sebelum dan sesudah latihan fisik intensitas berat.Kata kunci: kalium, aktivitas fisik, intensitas berat

Download Full-text

Association between device measured and self-reported sitting in relation to depression: the 1970 British Cohort Study

10.1101/2020.03.13.20035451 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Andrew Webster ◽

G David Batty ◽

Natalie Pearson ◽

Emmanuel Stamatakis ◽

Mark Hamer

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Tv Viewing ◽

Depression Diagnosis ◽

Sedentary Behaviours ◽

British Cohort Study

AbstractAimsWhile physical activity appears to confer protection against depression, the relationship between sedentary behaviour and mental health is uncertain. Self-reported methods provide information about context although there may be error in the quantification of sedentary behaviour. Accordingly, we examined associations of both device-measured and self-reported sedentary behaviour with depression.MethodParticipants (n=4,704; 52.4% Female; aged 46-48) were drawn from the 1970 British Cohort Study. Sitting time and moderate-vigorous physical activity was measured using a thigh-worn accelerometer device (ActivPAL) over a seven day period. A range of self-reported sedentary behaviours was measured to provide context. Depression diagnosis was captured using a combination of self-reported consultation with a physician and use of anti-depressant medication. Malaise inventory was used to assess depressive symptoms.ResultsRelative to those who spent <8 hr/d sitting, those in the highest tertile of device measured sitting (>10 hr/d) had increased odds of depression diagnosis (odds ratio= 1.48 [95% confidence interval 1.05-2.08]). There was no association between self-reported TV viewing and depression diagnosis (1.07; 0.71-1.63). We observed protective associations between moderate-vigorous physical activity and depression diagnosis (highest tertile vs. the lowest tertile; 0.70;0.49-1.00). Associations of sitting time and physical activity with depression were mutually independent. Relative to <1 hours of internet usage, 2-3 and >3 hours of internet weekday usage were associated with increased odds of depressive symptoms (1.60;1.30-1.97 and 1.63;1.32-2.03, respectively).ConclusionDevice-measured sitting is associated depression diagnosis, although less consistent associations are observed with self-reported sedentary behaviours. Regular physical activity and reducing sedentary time may be beneficial for prevention of depression.

Download Full-text

Change in habits of workers participating in a Labor Gymnastics Program

Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Trabalho ◽

10.5327/z1679443520200498 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 66-73

Author(s):

Carine Muniz dos Santos ◽

Fernanda Oliveira Ulguim ◽

Hildegard Hedwig Pohl ◽

Miriam Beatrís Reckziegel

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Work Environment ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Body Awareness ◽

Physical Activities ◽

Regular Physical Activity ◽

Santa Cruz ◽

Work Activities ◽

Before And After ◽

Administrative Area

Background: Demands as to productivity transform the work environment more and more stressful, and negatively impact on the motivation of workers and the performance of their work activities. Initiatives seek to consolidate advances in policies for comprehensive care for workers health, with actions to prevent injuries and promote health. Offering workers a Labor Gymnastics Program (PGL), which is not restricted to attention to musculoskeletal disorders, becomes a tool to encourage change in habits. Aim: To identify possible changes in workers habits after the implementation of a PGL. Method: 41 workers in the administrative area and support from a teaching hospital in the municipality of Santa Cruz do Sul answered the questionnaire. The questionnaire includes variables on eating habits, displacement and physical activity, applied before and after intervention. The sessions were held during the workday, with frequency of three times a week, on alternate days, for 4 months, composed of physical activities and information on dietary reeducation, postural education, body awareness and the importance of regular physical activity. Results: There is a predominance of females (61.0%), and age of 33.5±10.2 years. Changes in some habits were identified: increase in the number of workers who practice regular physical activity (p=0.01), increase in the duration and frequency of activity (p=0.04), and maintenance / reduction in the frequency of consumption of “Embedded” (p=0.03). Conclusion: It was possible to identify positive changes in workers habits after the implementation of the PGL, suggesting that it is an important strategy in the field of health promotion.

Download Full-text