Physical activity, sedentary behavior and total wellness changes among sedentary adults: a 4-week randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundThe construct of total wellness includes a holistic approach to the body, mind and spirit components of life. While the health benefits of reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity are well documented, little is known about the influence on total wellness of an internet-based physical activity monitor designed to help people to achieve higher physical activity levels.PurposeThe purpose of this four-week, personal activity monitor-based intervention program was to reduce sedentary behavior and increase physical activity levels in daily living for sedentary adults and to determine if these changes would also be associated with improvement in total wellness.MethodsTwenty-two men and 11 women (27 years ± 4.0) were randomly assigned to either an intervention (n = 18) or control group (n = 15). The intervention group interacted with an online personal activity monitor (Gruve Solution™) designed to reduce sedentary time and increase physical activity during activities of daily living. The control group did not interact with the monitor, as they were asked to follow their normal daily physical activities and sedentary behavior routines. The Wellness Evaluation of Lifestyle (WEL) inventory was used to assess total wellness. Sedentary time, light, walking, moderate and vigorous intensity physical activities were assessed for both intervention and control groups at baseline and at week-4 by the 7-day Sedentary and Light Intensity Physical Activity Log (7-day SLIPA Log) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).ResultsSignificant increases in pre-post total wellness scores (from 64% ± 5.7 to 75% ± 8.5) (t (17) = -6.5, p < 0.001) were observed in the intervention group by the end of week four. Intervention participants decreased their sedentary time (21%, 2.3 hours/day) and increased their light (36.7%, 2.5 hours/day), walking (65%, 1057 MET-min/week), moderate (67%, 455 MET-min/week) and vigorous intensity (60%, 442 MET-min/week) physical activity (all p < 0.001). No significant differences for total wellness were observed between the groups at baseline and no pre-post significant differences were observed for any outcome variable in the control group.ConclusionTotal wellness is improved when sedentary, but sufficiently physically active adults, reduce sedentary time and increase physical activity levels (i.e. light, waking, moderate and vigorous).

Interventions with potential to reduce sedentary time in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Three studies employed an intervention specifically to reduce SB,40 44 63 16 studies aimed at increasing PA levels,30 35 36 39 41 46 48 49 55 58–60 64 66 72 78 nine studies combined both approaches of reducing SB and increasing PA levels,32 43 53 62 65 68 70 76 77 one study assessed the effect of a dietary intervention on SB,61 and 22 studies (20 reports) applied a multicomponent lifestyle intervention and observed effects on sedentary behaviour (among other outcomes) 29 33 34 37 38 42 45 47 50–52 54 56 57 67 69 71 73 74 75. Twenty studies offered an alternative intervention,30 36 39–41 45 46 49 52–55 59 61–63 68 72 77 10 studies the usual/routine care,29 37 38 42 50 51 67 71 74 75 seven studies used a waiting list control,29 34 48 64 69 76 78 five studies an attention control,35 44 56 57 60 and control participants of seven studies received no intervention at all 32 33 43 47 58 66 …”

“…Twenty studies indicated a beneficial effect of interventions for reducing SB in favour of the intervention group. Of these, 10 studies employed a lifestyle intervention,29 33 34 37 38 42 51 52 54 74 six studies targeted increase in PA,30 41 46 48 64 78 two studies were combined PA/SB interventions32 68 and two studies were SB interventions 40 63. Two studies reported a beneficial intervention effect in favour of the control group;39 60 both studies were PA interventions.…”

“…Studies reported intervention effects on fasting blood glucose concentration,31 42 56 glycosylated haemoglobin levels,37 42 69 triglyceride levels,31 42 56 69 low-density lipoprotein levels,31 42 56 69 total cholesterol,37 42 56 69 high-density lipoprotein levels,31 39 42 56 64 69 blood pressure,32 38 43 57 59 65 70 BMI,29 33 36 37 42 55 56 57 58 59 62 64 69 74 waist circumference,31 42 55 – 59 62 64 69 74 76 percentage body fat42 55 56 58 62 64 and mental health outcomes 29 41 48 49 64 72. Some studies indicated a reduction in these secondary outcomes; however, studies were PA-only or lifestyle interventions and none of the studies were SB-only studies.…”

A Systematic Review on What Features Should Be Supported by Fitness Apps and Wearables to Help Users Overcome Obesity

“…These wearable devices are worn on different body parts in these studies as per monitor instructions. Studies using Fitbit [39], MTx-W [50] Gruve [42] and PAM [46] required the devices to be worn along the iliac crest. Fitzsimons et al"s [44] study, which used activePAL as a monitoring device required it to be worn along the upper thigh.…”

“…We used keywords mentioned in the table below ( The systematic review methodology has been adopted from Lewis et al [5] and the flow chart below shows the methodology of the systematic review. In the twelve studies selected, each one was based on a different wearable device: Fitbit [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41], Gruve [42] Bluetooth Actiwatch [43], activPAL [44], PAM [45][46] Sense Wear armband [47][48][49] and MTx-W sensor [50].…”