Temporal features of sitting, standing and stepping changes in a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a workplace sitting-reduction intervention

Abstract

BackgroundThere is now a body of evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to reduce workplace sitting time. However, there has been limited reporting of how such interventions may impact behaviour both during and outside of work. Sitting, standing and stepping changes following a workplace intervention were examined across five timeframes (work time on work days; non-work time on work days; work days; non-work days; overall (i.e. work and non-work time on all days)), and the relationships between changes during and outside of work was assessed.MethodsThe cluster-randomised controlled trial, ‘Stand Up Victoria’, delivered a multi-component workplace-delivered intervention that successfully reduced workplace and overall sitting time (relative to controls). Separately, over the five timeframes, changes in device (activPAL3)-assessed outcomes — sitting; prolonged sitting (≥30 min bouts); standing; and, stepping — were compared between intervention (n = 114) and controls (n = 84), along with the time-course of sitting changes during work hours, using mixed models. The potential relationships of changes during work with changes outside of work were examined using compositional data analysis.ResultsOn workdays, intervention participants significantly (p < 0.05) improved their activity profile relative to controls, with reduced sitting (− 117 min/8-h workday, 95% CI: − 141, − 93) and prolonged sitting (− 77 min/8 h workday, 95% CI: − 101, − 52); increased standing (114 min/8 h workday, 95% CI: 92, 136) and maintenance of stepping (3 min/8 h workday, 95% CI: − 7, 11, p = 0.576). Effects were nearly identical for time at work; similar but slightly weaker for overall; and, small and non-significant outside of work on workdays and non-work days. Improvements occurred at all times, but not equally, during work hours (p < 0.001). Correlations between changes during and outside of work on workdays were very weak in both the intervention group (r = − 0.07) and controls (r = − 0.09).ConclusionsSitting time was reduced almost exclusively during work hours (via replacement with standing), with reductions evident during all working hours, to varying degrees. There was no evidence of compensation, with minimal change in activity outside of work, in response to changes in activity at work. Future interventions may benefit from exploring how best to elicit change throughout the whole day, and across work and non-work domains.Trial registrationThis trial was prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials register (ACTRN12611000742976) on 15 July 2011

Effects of Two Randomized and Controlled Multi-Component Interventions Focusing On 24-Hour Movement Behavior among Office Workers: A Compositional Data Analysis

“…To our knowledge, this workplace RCT intervention study aiming at changing movement behavior is among the first to investigate intervention effects using CoDA, which is a comprehensive and statistically sound approach for analyzing time-use data [ 21 , 23 , 24 ]. We have identified only one other study using CoDA for evaluating effects of a workplace RCT intervention targeting movement behavior [ 27 ]. That study aimed at reducing workplace sitting time by initiatives directed towards the individual (e.g., health coaching and motivational interviewing by trained health coaches); the workplace environment (e.g., sit–stand workstations); and the organization (e.g., management consultation and emails from worksite managers).…”

“…Thus, CoDA allows analyses of intervention effects on the entire composition of different movement behaviors, such as SED, light-intensity physical activity (LIPA), moderate physical activity (MPA), vigorous physical activity (VPA) and time in bed [ 25 ]. Although there is significant potential for the use of CoDA for movement behavior research in occupational settings [ 21 ], very few studies have made use of it in office settings [ 26 , 27 ]. Furthermore, few workplace intervention studies have considered possible spill-over effects between work and leisure time behaviors [ 27 ] in their design and analyses [ 9 ].…”

“…Although there is significant potential for the use of CoDA for movement behavior research in occupational settings [ 21 ], very few studies have made use of it in office settings [ 26 , 27 ]. Furthermore, few workplace intervention studies have considered possible spill-over effects between work and leisure time behaviors [ 27 ] in their design and analyses [ 9 ]. It has been suggested that interventions targeting single behaviors while letting others change freely may lead to compensatory effects in order to maintain an overall stable level of PA or energy expenditure over time [ 28 ].…”

Natural Patterns of Sitting, Standing and Stepping During and Outside Work—Differences between Habitual Users and Non-Users of Sit–Stand Workstations

“…Additionally, in long-term follow-up measurements on the effectiveness of an intervention, including sit-stand workstations, reductions in sitting time during working hours attenuated for total sitting time in the intervention group [10]. This indicated that interventions to reduce sitting at work, such as sit-stand workstations, do not seem to carry over to movement behaviours outside working hours and might lead to some compensation behaviour [42].…”

Sitting less and moving more for improved metabolic and brain health in type 2 diabetes: ‘OPTIMISE your health’ trial protocol

“…A recent meta-analysis found that both multicomponent and single-component interventions typically reduced sitting time by 30–60 min per day, predominantly achieved by replacing sitting with standing [ 21 ]. Importantly, a dose-response effect has been observed in workplace setting-based interventions, with the higher the exposure to the intervention, the greater the reduction in sitting time, with minimal evidence of either compensation or generalisation outside of the intervention setting [ 22 ]. Therefore, initiatives aimed at further reducing time spent sitting and increasing overall physical activity should target behaviours across the whole day, together with consideration of the contexts where the bulk of sitting time occurs (e.g.…”