Physical activity initiated by employer and its health effects; an eight week follow-up study
Abstract Background While the health benefits of physical activity are well established, little is known about health effects of physical activity programs initiated by employer. Methods Background data and level of physical activity were collected by questionnaire among 78 men and 43 women working...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2016-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3035-8 |
| _version_ | 1818539781897846784 |
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| author | Marit Skogstad Lars-Kristian Lunde Øivind Skare Asgeir Mamen Jose Hernán Alfonso Reidun Øvstebø Bente Ulvestad |
| author_facet | Marit Skogstad Lars-Kristian Lunde Øivind Skare Asgeir Mamen Jose Hernán Alfonso Reidun Øvstebø Bente Ulvestad |
| author_sort | Marit Skogstad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background While the health benefits of physical activity are well established, little is known about health effects of physical activity programs initiated by employer. Methods Background data and level of physical activity were collected by questionnaire among 78 men and 43 women working in road maintenance pre and post an 8-week physical activity motivational program. As a part of the program steps measured by accelerometer were registered online where team and individual performances could be continuously monitored. The physical activity levels were registered as 1) those physical active ≤1 time per week, 2) 2–3 times per week and 3) ≥4 times a week. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), blood pressure, resting heart rate (RHR) and blood samples (glycosylated hemoglobin, lipids and C-reactive protein) were obtained at baseline and after eight weeks. Mixed models were applied to evaluate associations between physical activity and health parameters. Results With ≤1 time per week as reference, exercising 2–3 times per week at baseline was associated with higher levels of VO2max. During follow-up, VO2max increased with 2.8 mL ∙ kg−1∙ min−1 (95 % CI = 1.4, 4.3). Women had more favorable body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, RHR and lipid profile than men. Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), RHR and diastolic blood pressure (dBP) were lower among participants who exercised 2–3 times per week or ≥4 times a week, compared with those with ≤1 time per week. Half of the participants reported increased daily PA during follow-up, with high intensity PA such as jogging by 8.6 min (SD 14.6) and 8.3 min (SD 18.2), among women and men, respectively. During follow-up dBP increased among men. Further, total cholesterol and LDL were reduced by 0.12 mmol/L and 0.13 mmol/L, respectively (95 % CI = −022, –0.01 and −0.22,–0.04). Conclusions Exercise several times a week was associated with lower blood pressure and a favorable lipid status compared to lower weekly activity. During the 8-week follow-up of an employer initiated exercise program VO2max increased, while total cholesterol and LDL were reduced. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN13033050 . Registered 21 August 2015. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T21:46:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-16055d36aa004b41a73af1612faac24e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T21:46:38Z |
| publishDate | 2016-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-16055d36aa004b41a73af1612faac24e2022-12-22T00:49:35ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582016-05-0116111110.1186/s12889-016-3035-8Physical activity initiated by employer and its health effects; an eight week follow-up studyMarit Skogstad0Lars-Kristian Lunde1Øivind Skare2Asgeir Mamen3Jose Hernán Alfonso4Reidun Øvstebø5Bente Ulvestad6Department of Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, National Institute of Occupational HealthDepartment for Work Psychology and Physiology, National Institute of Occupational HealthDepartment of Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, National Institute of Occupational HealthKristiania University College, Norwegian School of Health SciencesDepartment of Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, National Institute of Occupational HealthThe R&D Group, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, Oslo University HospitalDepartment of Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, National Institute of Occupational HealthAbstract Background While the health benefits of physical activity are well established, little is known about health effects of physical activity programs initiated by employer. Methods Background data and level of physical activity were collected by questionnaire among 78 men and 43 women working in road maintenance pre and post an 8-week physical activity motivational program. As a part of the program steps measured by accelerometer were registered online where team and individual performances could be continuously monitored. The physical activity levels were registered as 1) those physical active ≤1 time per week, 2) 2–3 times per week and 3) ≥4 times a week. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), blood pressure, resting heart rate (RHR) and blood samples (glycosylated hemoglobin, lipids and C-reactive protein) were obtained at baseline and after eight weeks. Mixed models were applied to evaluate associations between physical activity and health parameters. Results With ≤1 time per week as reference, exercising 2–3 times per week at baseline was associated with higher levels of VO2max. During follow-up, VO2max increased with 2.8 mL ∙ kg−1∙ min−1 (95 % CI = 1.4, 4.3). Women had more favorable body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, RHR and lipid profile than men. Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), RHR and diastolic blood pressure (dBP) were lower among participants who exercised 2–3 times per week or ≥4 times a week, compared with those with ≤1 time per week. Half of the participants reported increased daily PA during follow-up, with high intensity PA such as jogging by 8.6 min (SD 14.6) and 8.3 min (SD 18.2), among women and men, respectively. During follow-up dBP increased among men. Further, total cholesterol and LDL were reduced by 0.12 mmol/L and 0.13 mmol/L, respectively (95 % CI = −022, –0.01 and −0.22,–0.04). Conclusions Exercise several times a week was associated with lower blood pressure and a favorable lipid status compared to lower weekly activity. During the 8-week follow-up of an employer initiated exercise program VO2max increased, while total cholesterol and LDL were reduced. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN13033050 . Registered 21 August 2015.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3035-8Employer initiated physical activityMaximal oxygen uptakeBlood pressureResting heart rateBlood lipids |
| spellingShingle | Marit Skogstad Lars-Kristian Lunde Øivind Skare Asgeir Mamen Jose Hernán Alfonso Reidun Øvstebø Bente Ulvestad Physical activity initiated by employer and its health effects; an eight week follow-up study BMC Public Health Employer initiated physical activity Maximal oxygen uptake Blood pressure Resting heart rate Blood lipids |
| title | Physical activity initiated by employer and its health effects; an eight week follow-up study |
| title_full | Physical activity initiated by employer and its health effects; an eight week follow-up study |
| title_fullStr | Physical activity initiated by employer and its health effects; an eight week follow-up study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physical activity initiated by employer and its health effects; an eight week follow-up study |
| title_short | Physical activity initiated by employer and its health effects; an eight week follow-up study |
| title_sort | physical activity initiated by employer and its health effects an eight week follow up study |
| topic | Employer initiated physical activity Maximal oxygen uptake Blood pressure Resting heart rate Blood lipids |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3035-8 |
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