Affiliations: [a]
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| [b]
Applied Psychosocial Research Group, Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, Technical University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| [c]
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health, Camilo Jos\'{e} Cela University, Madrid, Spain
| [d]
LAMIH, UMR CNRS 8201, Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France, Valenciennes, France
| [e]
INSA Hauts-de-France, Valenciennes, France
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Víctor Jiménez Díaz-Benito. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain. Campus Universitario – C/ 19, Av. de Madrid, Km 33,600, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid. E-mail: victor.jimenezd@uah.es.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Companies have tried to carry out interventions in order to mitigate the risks associated with losses in productivity and the health of employees. OBJECTIVE:This intervention trial evaluated the effect of a supervised exercise intervention based on aerobic capacity and strength on well-being at work and capability in performing work tasks. METHODOLOGY:The sample was composed of 67 participants (N = 67, mean age 34.31 years) and investigated a 12-week group physical exercise program in the workplace, two days per week for 50 minutes, which was supervised and based on aerobic endurance and strength. The 67 subjects were working-age office workers, deemed sedentary and randomized into an intervention (N = 40) or control (N = 27) group. Among them, 33 were men (N = 33; 49.25%) and 34 were women (N = 34, 50.75%). Outcomes were assessed pre- and post-test in both groups. The Mann-Whitney U and Chi-Square tests were performed to compare the characteristics of the intervention and control group. η2 = z/(n-1) was calculated as effect size rates. RESULTS:The program showed statistically significant effects on strength endurance (P = 0.020, η2 = 0.08), the loss of fat percentage (P = 0.015, η2 = 0.09), lower limb power (P = 0.020, η2 = 0.08) and QoL (P = 0.0001, η2 = 0.39 for the physical health outcome, and P = 0.0001, η2 = 0.35 for the outcome of total scores of mental health). CONCLUSIONS:The intervention had an impact on the endurance, fat percentage loss and QoL of the workers whose occupations were based on sedentary tasks.
Keywords: Physical activity, workplace, productivity cost, absenteeism, health
