Does an 'activity-permissive' workplace change office workers' sitting and activity time?
McKay, HA; Gorman, E; Winkler, EA; Hanson, HM; Dunstan, DW; Ashe, MC; Healy, GN; Madden, K
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
To describe changes in workplace physical activity, and health-, and work-related outcomes, in workers who transitioned from a conventional to an 'activity-permissive' workplace.
METHODS:
A natural pre-post experiment conducted in Vancouver, Canada in 2011. A convenience sample of office-based workers (n=24, 75% women, mean [SD] age = 34.5 [8.1] years) were examined four months following relocation from a conventional workplace (pre) to a newly-constructed, purpose-built, movement-oriented physical environment (post). Workplace activity- (activPAL3-derived stepping, standing, and sitting time), health- (body composition and fasting cardio-metabolic blood profile), and work- (performance; job satisfaction) related outcomes were measured pre- and post-move and compared using paired t-tests.
RESULTS:
Pre-move, on average (mean [SD]) the majority of the day was spent sitting (364 [43.0] mins/8-hr workday), followed by standing (78.2 [32.1] mins/8-hr workday) and stepping (37.7 [15.6] mins/8-hr workday). The transition to the 'activity-permissive' workplace resulted in a significant increase in standing time (+18.5, 95% CI: 1.8, 35.2 mins/8-hr workday), likely driven by reduced sitting time (-19.7, 95% CI: -42.1, 2.8 mins/8-hr workday) rather than increased stepping time (+1.2, 95% CI: -6.2, 8.5 mins/8-hr workday). There were no statistically significant differences observed in health- or work-related outcomes.
DISCUSSION:
This novel, opportunistic study demonstrated that the broader workplace physical environment can beneficially impact on standing time in office workers. The long-term health and work-related benefits, and the influence of individual, organizational, and social factors on this change, requires further evaluation.
| Journal | PLOS ONE |
| ISSN | 1932-6203 |
| Published | 01 Jan 2013 |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 10 |
| Pages | e76723 |
| DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0076723 |
| Type | Journal Article |
| Sponsorship |
NHMRC: 569861; ARC: FT100100918; Other
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