Adherence to a Lifestyle Exercise and Nutrition Intervention in University Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Healthy lifestyles should be encouraged in the workplace through the occupational health teams of the companies. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the adherence to a lifestyle intervention carried out in university employees during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on health-related quality of life (HrQoL). A randomized controlled trial following the CONSORT guidelines was performed, consisting of three supervised interventions lasting for 18 weeks: an educational intervention on healthy habits, a nutritional intervention, and a telematic aerobic and strength exercise intervention. Lifestyle and HrQoL were analyzed six months post-intervention to assess adherence. Twenty-three middle-aged participants completed the study. The intervention group significantly improved their lifestyle according to the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II questionnaire, especially in the categories of Health Responsibility, Physical Activity, and Nutrition, with a large effect size. Sitting time was reduced by 2.5 h per day, with a moderate effect size. Regarding HrQoL, the intervention group showed a clinically significant improvement in the Physical Component Summary. Despite the lockdown and the mobility restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this intervention performed on university employees achieved adherence to a healthier lifestyle and improved their HrQoL, which is of great clinical relevance.

Counseling for Physical Activity in Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scope Review

“…In addition to representing a majority in all samples, three articles were conducted specifically with female samples [ 14 , 33 , 34 ]. Heterogeneity was identified in relation to the sample characteristics, highlighting four samples composed of participants with insufficient levels of physical activity at the baseline [ 14 , 16 , 22 , 35 ], two samples with cancer survivors [ 32 , 34 ], and two with type II diabetes patients [ 36 , 37 ]. Regarding the objectives of the studies, six articles directed interventions to physical activity [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 38 ], two studies were focused on behavioral change [ 36 , 37 ], two studies investigated a whole lifestyle [ 16 , 22 ], and one study directed actions towards physical activity and behavioral change [ 14 ].…”

“…Heterogeneity was identified in relation to the sample characteristics, highlighting four samples composed of participants with insufficient levels of physical activity at the baseline [ 14 , 16 , 22 , 35 ], two samples with cancer survivors [ 32 , 34 ], and two with type II diabetes patients [ 36 , 37 ]. Regarding the objectives of the studies, six articles directed interventions to physical activity [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 38 ], two studies were focused on behavioral change [ 36 , 37 ], two studies investigated a whole lifestyle [ 16 , 22 ], and one study directed actions towards physical activity and behavioral change [ 14 ]. Regarding the research design, the selected studies were classified as randomized controlled trials (n = 4), intervention studies (n = 4), non-randomized controlled trials (n = 1), longitudinal (n = 1), and quasi-experimental (n = 1).…”

“…Countries have presented alarming data on physical inactivity, with prevalence increasing with age, and it is higher among females when compared to males [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. In addition, during the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus), physical activity levels have declined [ 15 , 16 ] due to COVID-19 restrictions such as lockdowns, quarantine measures, and social distancing. Because of this, meeting physical activity guidelines posed a significant challenge [ 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Remotely Supervised Exercise during the COVID-19 Pandemic versus in-Person-Supervised Exercise in Achieving Long-Term Adherence to a Healthy Lifestyle

“…The difference was that at the end of the diet component, the Spanish government ordered a strict stay-at-home lockdown to stop the expansion of the COVID-19 outbreak, so the physical exercise program was remotely supervised in real-time, as the participants were at home. In this exercise program, with the same characteristics as that of the ISEG, the participants performed self-loading strength exercises and performed aerobic exercise jogging at home since they did not have specific training material or large spaces [40].…”

“…Regarding PA, only one study managed to increase and maintain PA levels six months after in-person physical exercise intervention [39]. Another recent randomized clinical trial with a remotely supervised physical exercise and diet intervention reported a long-term improvement in physical exercise and eating habits, although without significantly increasing weekly metabolic equivalent tasks (METS)-min or adherence to the Mediterranean diet [40].…”