Prompts to Disrupt Sitting Time and Increase Physical Activity at Work, 2011–2012

Abstract

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to assess change in sitting and physical activity behavior in response to a workplace intervention to disrupt prolonged sitting time.MethodsSixty office workers were randomized to either a Stand group (n = 29), which received hourly prompts (computer-based and wrist-worn) to stand up, or a Step group (n = 31), which received the same hourly prompts and an additional prompt to walk 100 steps or more upon standing. An ActivPAL monitor was used to assess sitting and physical activity behavior on the same 3 consecutive workdays during baseline and intervention periods. Mixed-effect models with random intercepts and random slopes for time were performed to assess change between groups and across time.ResultsBoth groups significantly reduced duration of average sitting bouts (Stand group, by 16%; Step group, by 19%) and the number of sitting bouts of 60 minutes or more (Step group, by 36%; Stand group, by 54%). The Stand group significantly reduced total sitting time (by 6.6%), duration of the longest sitting bout (by 29%), and number of sitting bouts of 30 minutes or more (by 13%) and increased the number of sit-to-stand transitions (by 15%) and standing time (by 23%). Stepping time significantly increased in the Stand (by 14%) and Step (by 29%) groups, but only the Step group significantly increased (by 35%) the number of steps per workday. Differences in changes from baseline to intervention between groups were not significant for any outcome.ConclusionInterventions that focus on disrupting sitting time only in the workplace may result in less sitting. When sitting time disruptions are paired with a physical activity prompt, people may be more likely to increase their workday physical activity, but the effect on sitting time may be attenuated.

Assessing the Feasibility and Pre-Post Impact Evaluation of the Beta (Test) Version of the BeUpstanding Champion Toolkit in Reducing Workplace Sitting: Pilot Study (Preprint)

“…Assuming an 8-hour workday, this equates to an approximately 30 minute reduction per day in workplace sitting time. Although the response rate and the self-reported data should be taken into consideration when interpreting the data, the findings are consistent with those achieved when interventions have been led by external research teams [23,30,31]. Results from the multiple-imputation analyses were attenuated (3.9%), but were still statistically significant.…”

Interventions to reduce sedentary behavior and increase physical activity during productive work: a systematic review

“…Direct comparison of our results with those in the cited reviews is discouraged due to our decision to focus only on interventions that could be implemented during productive work, with the intention to change the behavior of the individual while working. Notably, the six multi-component PA interventions included in our review (52,70,72,(74)(75)(76) were not more effective than the interventions with individualized initiatives only (69,73,77).…”

“…Direct comparison of our results with those in the cited reviews is discouraged due to our decision to focus only on interventions that could be implemented during productive work, with the intention to change the behavior of the individual while working. Notably, the six multi-component PA interventions included in our review (52,70,72,(74)(75)(76) were not more effective than the interventions with individualized initiatives only (69,73,77).As for SB, three out of six studies included components specifically targeting a reduction of SB (71,74,77), and only two found a significant effect (71,77). In a review of interventions specifically targeting PA, Chau et al (34) argued that PA interventions do not necessarily reduce SB.…”

“…As for SB, three out of six studies included components specifically targeting a reduction of SB (71,74,77), and only two found a significant effect (71,77). In a review of interventions specifically targeting PA, Chau et al (34) argued that PA interventions do not necessarily reduce SB.…”

24‐hour work shifts, sedentary work, and obesity in male firefighters

“…Team sports at fire stations have great potential to be leveraged for the prevention of CVD and even injuries in firefighters who are also an inherently competitive group/ occupational culture. In addition to team sports, other actions can be explored with firefighters to reduce their on-duty sedentary time: using active work stations (e.g., a sit-andstand work station) [Chau et al, 2014;Swartz et al, 2014] and having regular short-term breaks during desk work (e.g., 5-10 min every 1 hr computer work) [Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 1997;Dunstan et al, 2012] coupled with walking around in the fire station or in the nearby community.…”