Systematic Review of the Influence of Physical Work Environment on Office Workers’ Physical Activity Behavior

Abstract

Background Many American workers spend over 7 hours a day at work in primarily sedentary office work. Physical activity is a key aspect of optimizing health and preventing disease; yet, 80% of American adults do not meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity. In this systematic review, the relationship between physical work environment and physical activity among office workers was explored. Methods Of the 321 studies screened, 26 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included for evaluation in this systematic review. Results Of the 26 studies, four were cross-sectional studies, 14 were quasi-experimental studies, and eight were randomized control trials. Physical activity during the workday was measured using self-report surveys and electromechanical devices such as accelerometers. Physical work environments examined by the studies included different types of desks ( n = 16), office arrangements ( n = 5), and building design ( n = 5). In nine studies, office environments and building work environments designed to promote activity using active design principles such as stairs and flexible workspaces were associated with increased physical activity. Sit–stand desks reduced overall sitting time, but had a minimal effect on physical activity. Conclusion/Application to practice Offices and buildings designed for activity had the largest impact on physical activity among office workers. To increase physical activity in office workers, focus should be placed on opportunities to increase incidental movement that can increase physical activity throughout the workday. Occupational health nurses should advocate workspace designs that can increase physical activity in workers.

Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep in the Thai population: A compositional data analysis including 135,824 participants from two national time-use surveys

“…More workplaces should, therefore, implement programs and PA-friendly designs to increase opportunities for incidental movement throughout the workday for their employees. This may be achieved by facilitating the use of stairways and walking-friendly routes inside and outside buildings and by providing sit-stand desks and standing-up areas in meeting/conference rooms [ 99 , 100 ].…”

Investigation of Energy Consumption of Office Spaces with Active Workstations

“…However, despite these risks, office workersespecially those with sedentary jobs-engage in relatively little physical activity at work, and this sedentary office culture has been identified as a significant health issue [3]. A systematic literature review demonstrated that designing active office spaces can encourage the increase in physical activity of office workers for their health management [4]. The implementation of active workstations or activity-based flex offices (AFOs) is increasing, and research on the impact of AFOs on productivity, satisfaction, workspace, and health is gaining momentum [5,6].…”

The Importance of Research on Occupational Sedentary Behaviour and Activity Right Now

“…Many successful interventions have addressed multiple levels of influence on behaviours, including at social, ecological, individual, environmental, and policy levels [ 9 , 10 ]. For example, perceptions of manager and colleague support for activity have been associated with reductions in workplace sitting time [ 11 ], and environmental changes such as installing sit–stand desks and active building design have demonstrated benefits for sitting reduction and increased movement [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Despite this evidence, workplaces still vary widely in their activity-supportive characteristics, with a study in 230 organisations showing that nearly all had room for improvement [ 15 ].…”