Effects of a multicomponent physical activity promoting program on sedentary behavior, physical activity and body measures: a longitudinal study in different office types

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate effects of a multicomponent program promoting physical activity on sedentary behavior, physical activity, and body measures, when relocating from cell offices to either a flex or cell office. Methods The Active Office Design (AOD) study is a longitudinal non-randomized controlled study performed in a municipality in northern Sweden. A subsample of 86 participants were randomly recruited from the AOD study to objectively measure sedentary behavior and physical activity, using ActivPAL and ActiGraph, before and after relocation to the two different office types. The multicomponent program promoting physical activity was performed in both offices. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models. Results Eighteen months after relocation, the total number of steps per work day increased by 21% in the flex office and 3% in the cell office group, compared to baseline. Moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during work hours increased by 42% in the flex office group and 19% in the cell office group. No changes were seen regarding sitting time at work. Small additive effects for walking and MVPA were seen for both groups during non-work time. Weight increased in the flex office group. Conclusions This long-term study shows that a multicomponent workplace intervention can lead to increased walking time, steps, and MVPA in a flex compared to a cell office. Small additive increases of physical activity were seen during non-work time in both groups. More long-term controlled studies are needed to confirm these results.

Implementing a Physical Activity Promoting Program in a Flex-Office: A Process Evaluation with a Mixed Methods Design

“…Many employees reported how they often worked standing already at baseline, and no changes were seen for self-reported standing at follow-up. This result is in accordance with objective measurements within a subgroup of the studied population presented in a previously published paper [24]. Compared to other studies [7,10], employees in the current study report more standing and less sitting throughout the whole study period.…”

“…In our previous study with objective measurements, an increase in walking time at work was seen in the flex office [24]. Results of the current study indicate that the increase in objectively measured walking time might be a result of walking to find a suitable workstation or to look for colleagues, and this might partly be due to crowdedness in the office.…”

“…Information to managers were communicated via manager meetings and e-mails, and they were asked to disseminate and discuss the messages from the campaigns at workplace meetings. More details on the theoretical background and content of the PA-promoting program have been described elsewhere [24]. About three months after each data collection period, the main results from the focus groups and the questionnaires were presented at the workplace via oral presentations, where all employees were invited.…”

“…We have previously published results from the Active Office Design (AOD) study, with objectively measured SB and PA in two office groups; one of the groups relocating to a flex office with ABW, and the other to an office with a traditional cell office design [24]. In both groups, a multicomponent PA-promoting program was implemented in relation to the relocation.…”

High Occupational Physical Activity and cardiovascular risk factors in employees of Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas S.A. Company: a cross-sectional study

“…Supporting the interventions, the workplace is a good environment to improve physical activity behaviors [36][37][38].…”