Abstract
BackgroundInterventions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviours within the workplace have been previously investigated. However, the evolution of these constructs without intervention has not been well documented. This retrospective study explored the natural progression or time kinetics of physical activity, sedentary behaviours and quality of life in a professional skilled workplace where focussed interventions were lacking.MethodsParticipants (n = 346) employed as full-time staff members at a regional university completed an online survey in 2013 assessing physical activity and sedentary behaviours via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and quality of life via the Short-Form 36v2 questionnaire. Differences between that cohort of participants and an initial sample of similar participants (2009, n = 297), accounting for gender and staff categories (academic vs. professional), were examined using ANCOVAs with working hours as a co-variate.ResultsIn comparison to the initial cohort, the follow-up cohort reported significantly less leisure-time, total walking, total vigorous and total physical activity levels, and lower overall physical health for quality of life (p < 0.05). In contrast, the follow-up cohort reported a significantly greater weekly sitting time, greater mental health scores for quality of life and greater total moderate physical activity levels (p < 0.05) compared to the initial cohort.ConclusionsOver a 4-year timeframe and without focussed workplace interventions, total physical activity levels were lower with sedentary behaviours greater at a rate twice that reported previously. Continuation of these undesirable health behaviours may impact negatively on worker productivity and health at a greater rate than that currently reported. Workplace interventions targeting sedentary behaviours and physical activity should be actively incorporated into organisations to counteract the alarming behavioural trends found in this study to maintain and/or enhance employee health and productivity.
Highlights
Interventions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviours within the workplace have been previously investigated
The workplace provides a key environment for physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour management to impact on health and well-being
Using a cross-sectional design, the current study has highlighted the natural progression of PA, sitting behaviour and quality of life (QOL) in a regional workplace over a 4-year timeframe without focussed intervention
Summary
Interventions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviours within the workplace have been previously investigated. Lower levels of physical activity (PA) and increased sedentary time have contributed to an increase in negative health outcomes including obesity and diabetes [1]. Both behaviours have been identified as important and independent risk factors for premature mortality [2,3,4]. A 2 % increase in all-cause mortality risk was associated with each hour of daily sitting, even when PA was accounted for in the analysis [2] This risk was enhanced when daily sitting exceeded 7 h per day [2], a value similar to that seen within the workplace [5,6,7]. The workplace provides a key environment for PA and sedentary behaviour management to impact on health and well-being
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