Physical activity, sedentary behavior and total wellness changes among sedentary adults: a 4-week randomized controlled trial

Faisal A Barwais,L Tomson,Thomas F Cuddihy

doi:10.1186/1477-7525-11-183

Abstract

BackgroundThe construct of total wellness includes a holistic approach to the body, mind and spirit components of life. While the health benefits of reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity are well documented, little is known about the influence on total wellness of an internet-based physical activity monitor designed to help people to achieve higher physical activity levels.PurposeThe purpose of this four-week, personal activity monitor-based intervention program was to reduce sedentary behavior and increase physical activity levels in daily living for sedentary adults and to determine if these changes would also be associated with improvement in total wellness.MethodsTwenty-two men and 11 women (27 years ± 4.0) were randomly assigned to either an intervention (n = 18) or control group (n = 15). The intervention group interacted with an online personal activity monitor (Gruve Solution™) designed to reduce sedentary time and increase physical activity during activities of daily living. The control group did not interact with the monitor, as they were asked to follow their normal daily physical activities and sedentary behavior routines. The Wellness Evaluation of Lifestyle (WEL) inventory was used to assess total wellness. Sedentary time, light, walking, moderate and vigorous intensity physical activities were assessed for both intervention and control groups at baseline and at week-4 by the 7-day Sedentary and Light Intensity Physical Activity Log (7-day SLIPA Log) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).ResultsSignificant increases in pre-post total wellness scores (from 64% ± 5.7 to 75% ± 8.5) (t (17) = -6.5, p < 0.001) were observed in the intervention group by the end of week four. Intervention participants decreased their sedentary time (21%, 2.3 hours/day) and increased their light (36.7%, 2.5 hours/day), walking (65%, 1057 MET-min/week), moderate (67%, 455 MET-min/week) and vigorous intensity (60%, 442 MET-min/week) physical activity (all p < 0.001). No significant differences for total wellness were observed between the groups at baseline and no pre-post significant differences were observed for any outcome variable in the control group.ConclusionTotal wellness is improved when sedentary, but sufficiently physically active adults, reduce sedentary time and increase physical activity levels (i.e. light, waking, moderate and vigorous).

Highlights

In many parts of the world, lifestyles have become increasingly sedentary in the home, at work and during leisure time, given the increasing popularity of computer usage, video game playing and television viewing [1]
Increased attention is being paid to the development of intervention methods that focus on reducing sedentary time and increasing physical activity levels for the purpose of improving overall health [10,11]
No significant differences were observed between pre (10.7 ± 2.5 hours/day) and post (11.2 ± 1.5 hours/day) sedentary time [t (14) = −.60, p = 0.55)] or between pre (3.6 ± 1.9 hours/day) and post (3.2 ± 1.7 hours/day) light intensity physical activity [t (14) = 1.2, p = 0.24]

Summary

Introduction

In many parts of the world, lifestyles have become increasingly sedentary in the home, at work and during leisure time, given the increasing popularity of computer usage, video game playing and television viewing [1]. Given that significant numbers of adults continue to be sedentary, it may prove beneficial to determine if an intervention designed to reduce sedentary behavior and increase physical activity can influence total wellness scores. This may enable public health advocates to formulate broader messages about the benefits of reductions in sedentary behaviors and increases in light and/or moderate to vigorous physical activity. Purpose: The purpose of this four-week, personal activity monitor-based intervention program was to reduce sedentary behavior and increase physical activity levels in daily living for sedentary adults and to determine if these changes would be associated with improvement in total wellness

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion