Workplace Physical Activity Program: An Intervention Proposal

Abstract

Contemporary workstations have been transformed by technological advances, meaning that employees are less physically active. Physical exercise programs are a tool to combat this sedentary lifestyle and prevent possible work-related illnesses. The aim of this study consisted of drafting an intervention proposal through physical exercise - the Workplace Physical Activity Program / WPAP - to be applied in the workplace, covering physical, mental and social aspects. The trial was methodologically structured in three stages: a) contextualization of the WPAP; b) implementation of the program; and c) the intervention proposal. It is believed that this type of program should receive investments, as it has a quick return and effectively improves the health of workers. Level of Evidence V; Expert opinion.

Improvement of Reaction Time After a Workplace Physical Activity Intervention

“…Each session lasted 10 minutes, consisting of the initial, main, and final part ( Figure 2), with emphasis on playful activities in the initial part, based on the protocol proposed by Laux, Corazza and Andrade. 19 In the main part, exercises were performed, along with muscle strengthening and flexing in proportional quantities.…”

“…For exercising to music, the subjects were freely arranged around the room and performed leg abduction and adduction movements to music, step open and close, adding elements such as arm raising and clapping as coordination improved. 19 The main part, consisted of 5 minutes of flexion exercises and 4 minutes of muscle strengthening exercises (Figure 2). In flexion sessions, the intensity was maximal, with exercises for all body parts, especially the cervical region, shoulder region, spinal region, and lower limbs.…”

“…For the lower limbs, standing, the subject extended the thigh with flexed legs. 19 In the muscular reinforcement session, isometric and dynamic exercises were performed, primarily curved rowing, the inverse crucifix, and squats. For the curved rowing exercises, the subject keeps the feet laterally separated, with the knees semi-flexed and the trunk inclined forward; in this position, he or she bends the stick in the direction of the navel, and returns to the original position.…”

“…To perform squats, in the standing position, the subject maintains separation of the lower members at a slightly wider width than that of the shoulders, to begin descent projecting the gluteus backward until reaching a 90º angle, returning to the original position. 19 As shown in Figure 2, in the sessions with flexion exercises, relaxation activities were performed at the end. These activities included the sitting massage, meditation, balloon play, and stretching.…”

Scientific production on workplace physical activity intervention programs: intervention studies and their outcomes

“…1 In these programs to promote workers' health, it is important to highlight those who develop physical exercises such as the Labor Gymnastics in Brazil internationally known as Workplace Physical Activity Intervention Programs. 2,3 This program consists of a set of specific physical exercises to compensate the malefics of the work, in which play activities and exercises are performed for muscle strengthening and for improving or maintaining the flexibility indexes. 3 Despite the numerous studies using these programs, there are still many disagreements about the execution time and number of weekly sessions.…”