Effectiveness of a workplace physical exercise intervention on the functioning, work ability, and subjective well-being of office workers : a cluster randomised controlled cross-over trial with a one-year follow-up
Year: 2006
Type: dissertation
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: The main aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and the effects of workplace physical exercise intervention on physical and psychosocial functioning, work ability, and general subjective well-being. Dose of exercise and other physical activity outside the intervention were controlled for (MET). The other aims were to investigate the changes in outcomes 12 months after the intervention baseline measurements and to investigate the relationships between the prerequisites of functioning, work ability and general well-being. Framework of the study was the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).90 volunteer workers from four municipal administrative departments took part in a 15 weeks’ cluster randomised cross-over design intervention, consisting of light resistance training (30%1RM) and guidance, and 15 weeks with no training or guidance. During the first five-week period training was to be performed once each working day and during the second and third 5-week periods 7-8 times a week. Both physical and psychosocial questionnaires and physical measurements were used. Follow-up questionnaires were mailed to the volunteers of whom 72 (80%) returned the questionnaires.The average training time of 5 minutes per working day decreased the prevalence of headache (p=0.041-0.047), neck (p=0.003), shoulder (p=0.007) and low back (p=0.000) symptoms and alleviated the intensity of headache (p=0.001), neck (p=0.002) and low back (p=0.020) symptoms among subgroups of symptomatic office workers. The intervention improved subjective physical well-being (p=0.015), but it did not affect the other psychosocial functioning and general well-being variables. After 12 months the prerequisites of functioning, work ability and general subjective well-being were at a higher level than at the baseline measurements. The physical prerequisites of functioning variables related better to work ability, whereas the prerequisites of psychosocial functioning related better to general subjective well-being.A better understanding of physical exercise intervention and connections between human functioning and contextual factors can be helpful in maintaining work ability and preventing impairment in work ability among persons in sedentary occupations, particularly at older ages.
Author: Tuulikki Sjögren
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2228012532