Effects of Workplace-Based Physical Activity Interventions on Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials

Burn, Naomi; Weston, Matthew; Maguire, Neil; Atkinson, Greg; Weston, Kathryn L

doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01125-6

Cited by 23 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 73 publications

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“…effectiveness) REHIT can be similar. This magnitude of V O 2 max increase is comparable to that reported in previous workplace exercise training studies [38], and following a HIIT intervention performed as part of a group class in a supervised gym environment [51], but greater than a recent HIIT intervention performed at home [52]. This could be of clinical relevance based on epidemiological evidence demonstrating that ã 3-4 ml•kg•min − 1 (~1-MET) improvement in V O 2 max corresponds with a 19% reduction in cardiovascular mortality and a 15% reduction in all-cause mortality over 8 years [53].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…In theory, providing convenient and flexible access to facilities for exercise in the workplace could overcome many important barriers to exercise, including poor facilities, lack of transportation, personal costs, and bad weather [17,34]. In reality, workplace exercise interventions have generally, although not universally, been shown to result in small improvements in employee physical activity levels [35][36][37], whilst interventions promoting physical activity specifically of moderate-tovigorous intensity appear to positively impact cardiorespiratory fitness [38]. However, the majority of workplace exercise interventions involve significant employee time commitment [38], and perceived lack of time availability due to busy work schedules has been identified as a predictor of poor long-term engagement in workplace exercise initiatives [39].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In reality, workplace exercise interventions have generally, although not universally, been shown to result in small improvements in employee physical activity levels [35][36][37], whilst interventions promoting physical activity specifically of moderate-tovigorous intensity appear to positively impact cardiorespiratory fitness [38]. However, the majority of workplace exercise interventions involve significant employee time commitment [38], and perceived lack of time availability due to busy work schedules has been identified as a predictor of poor long-term engagement in workplace exercise initiatives [39]. With the potential positive effects of REHIT in lab-based studies and its short duration, it is essential that its effectiveness is tested in this context.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Time-efficient and computer-guided sprint interval exercise training for improving health in the workplace: a randomised mixed-methods feasibility study in office-based employees

et al. 2020

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Background: The efficacy of high-intensity interval training (HIT) as a time-efficient exercise strategy for beneficially modifying risk factors for cardiovascular disease has repeatedly been demonstrated in controlled laboratory settings. However, the effectiveness of HIT in an unsupervised workplace setting has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to use mixed methods to investigate the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of a shortduration, high-intensity exercise intervention (REHIT) when applied unsupervised in a workplace setting. Methods: Twenty-five office-workers (mean ± SD age: 47 ± 9 y, BMI: 27.5 ± 4.4 kg•m − 2 , VO 2 max: 28 ± 7 mL•kg − 1 •min − 1) completed a 6-week REHIT intervention unsupervised in their workplace (n = 13, 6 men), or acted as a nointervention control (n = 12, 6 men). The intervention consisted of 2 sessions/week of low-intensity (~25 W) cycling interspersed with 2 'all-out' sprints, increasing in duration from 10 to 20 s per sprint over the 6 weeks (total timecommitment: 8:40 min per session). VO 2 max was assessed pre-and post-training, whilst questionnaire-based measures of exercise enjoyment, self-efficacy, and acceptability were completed post-training. Eight participants also completed post-intervention semi-structured interviews. Results: VO 2 max significantly improved in the exercise group (2.25 ± 0.75 L•min − 1 vs. 2.42 ± 0.82 L•min − 1 ; + 7.4%) compared to the control group (2.22 ± 0.72 L•min − 1 vs. 2.17 ± 0.74 L•min − 1 ; − 2.3%; time*intervention interaction effect: p < 0.01). Participants considered the REHIT intervention acceptable and enjoyable (PACES: 89 ± 17 out of 119) and were confident in their ability to continue to perform REHIT (7.8 ± 1.2 out of 9). Qualitative data revealed that REHIT offered a time-efficient opportunity to exercise, that was perceived as achievable, and which encouraged highly valued post-exercise outcomes (e.g. progress towards health/fitness benefits).

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Time-efficient and computer-guided sprint interval exercise training for improving health in the workplace: a randomised mixed-methods feasibility study in office-based employees

et al. 2020

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“…The workplace is one "real-world" setting that provides a relatively controlled environment for the implementation of health promotion initiatives (National Institute for Health Care Excellence, 2008). Indeed, systematic reviews demonstrate that exercise delivered in the workplace can improve cardiorespiratory fitness (Burn et al, 2019), cardiometabolic health (Reed et al, 2017) and well-being (Abdin et al, 2018) but the weekly time commitment typically required for workplace exercise interventions is ∼80 min (Burn et al, 2019). Given that lack of time has been reported as a barrier to workplace exercise participation (Hunter et al, 2018), more time efficient exercise strategies such as HIIT could be well-received by organisations and employees alike.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brief Exercise at Work (BE@Work): A Mixed-Methods Pilot Trial of a Workplace High-Intensity Interval Training Intervention

Burn

Weston

Atkinson

et al. 2021

Front. Sports Act. Living

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Introduction: The efficacy of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for improving markers of physical fitness and cardiometabolic health is promising. The workplace is one non-laboratory setting where the effectiveness of HIIT could be explored. The aim of this study was to undertake a mixed-methods exploratory pilot trial of a workplace HIIT intervention named Brief Exercise at Work (BE@Work).Methods: Fifty-four healthy employees (mean ± standard deviation [SD] age 46 ± 10 years) from two workplaces in Northeast England were allocated to 8 weeks of thrice-weekly workplace HIIT based on boxing, stair climbing and stepping, comprising 4–7 60 s high-intensity intervals interspersed with 75 s rest (n = 30), or a no-intervention control (n = 24). The primary outcome was the change SD of predicted maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Markers of physical fitness, cardiometabolic health and mental well-being were also measured at baseline and follow-up. Participant perceptions of the intervention were explored in post-intervention focus groups (n = 9).Results: Mean (±SD) session attendance was 82% (±15%). Mean peak heart rate across the intervention was 87% of age-predicted maximal heart rate with a within- and between-subject SD of 5.5% and 3.7%, respectively. The SD of changes in predicted VO2max was 6.6 mL·kg−1·min−1 across both groups, which can be used to inform sample size estimations for a future full trial. The control-adjusted mean increase (95% confidence interval) in predicted VO2max was 3.9 (−0.2 to 8.1) mL·kg−1·min−1, corresponding to a Cohen's D of 0.47. We also observed preliminary evidence of small to moderate effects in favour of the intervention group for non-dominant leg extensor muscle power, markers of health-related quality of life, well-being and perceived stress and small to moderate effects in favour of the controls in perceived pain, physical activity and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. During HIIT, focus group participants reported physiological responses they perceived as unpleasant or tiring (e.g., breathlessness, local muscular fatigue), but also that they felt alert and energised afterwards.Conclusion: The findings of this exploratory pilot trial support the implementation of a definitive randomised controlled trial to quantify the effectiveness of a workplace HIIT intervention.

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“…It is known that physical activity intervention can improve physical fitness, particularly cardiorespiratory endurance [18]. It is also known from the correlational studies that habitual physical activity participation positively predicts physical fitness among children and adolescents [15][16][17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Association between Health-Related Fitness and Physical Activity during Weekdays: Do Fit Students Exercise More after School?

et al. 2019

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Physically active students are more likely to be fit and learn better in school than sedentary ones. For school-aged children, it is unclear whether physical fitness level is an important determinant for student’s activity afterschool. This study examined the association between health-related physical fitness test performance and afterschool physical activity during weekdays. Participants (n = 97, 11–13 years old) completed health-related fitness tests. They wore Actigraph GT3X accelerometers for five consecutive days, recording physical activity participation during after school hours. Descriptive statistics for both afterschool physical activity and health-related fitness were summarized. Regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between variables. Participants spent most of their afterschool hours participating in sedentary behaviors (274.27 ± 66.89 min) and light physical activity (73.68 ± 51.66 min), and only 11.35 ± 16.92 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), accumulating approximately 2058.52 ± 1690.56 steps each day afterschool. The regression model explained 22.8% of the variance in afterschool MVPA, and Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) scores were the only statistically significant predictor (β = 0.47, p < 0.01). Fit students do tend to exercise more after school. Promoting physical fitness in school is an important factor for students’ afterschool physical activity participation during weekdays.

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Effects of Workplace-Based Physical Activity Interventions on Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials

Cited by 23 publications

References 73 publications

Time-efficient and computer-guided sprint interval exercise training for improving health in the workplace: a randomised mixed-methods feasibility study in office-based employees

Time-efficient and computer-guided sprint interval exercise training for improving health in the workplace: a randomised mixed-methods feasibility study in office-based employees

Brief Exercise at Work (BE@Work): A Mixed-Methods Pilot Trial of a Workplace High-Intensity Interval Training Intervention

The Association between Health-Related Fitness and Physical Activity during Weekdays: Do Fit Students Exercise More after School?

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