Testing a workplace physical activity intervention: a cluster randomized controlled trial
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RESEARCH
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Testing a workplace physical activity intervention: a cluster randomized controlled trial Rosemary RC McEachan1,2*, Rebecca J Lawton1,2, Cath Jackson3, Mark Conner2, David M Meads4 and Robert M West5
Abstract Background: Increased physical activity levels benefit both an individuals’ health and productivity at work. The purpose of the current study was to explore the impact and cost-effectiveness of a workplace physical activity intervention designed to increase physical activity levels. Methods: A total of 1260 participants from 44 UK worksites (based within 5 organizations) were recruited to a cluster randomized controlled trial with worksites randomly allocated to an intervention or control condition. Measurement of physical activity and other variables occurred at baseline, and at 0 months, 3 months and 9 months post-intervention. Health outcomes were measured during a 30 minute health check conducted in worksites at baseline and 9 months post intervention. The intervention consisted of a 3 month tool-kit of activities targeting components of the Theory of Planned Behavior, delivered in-house by nominated facilitators. Selfreported physical activity (measured using the IPAQ short-form) and health outcomes were assessed. Results and discussion: Multilevel modelling found no significant effect of the intervention on MET minutes of activity (from the IPAQ) at any of the follow-up time points controlling for baseline activity. However, the intervention did significantly reduce systolic blood pressure (B = -1.79 mm/Hg) and resting heart rate (B = -2.08 beats) and significantly increased body mass index (B = .18 units) compared to control. The intervention was found not to be cost-effective, however the substantial variability round this estimate suggested that further research is warranted. Conclusions: The current study found mixed support for this worksite physical activity intervention. The paper discusses some of the tensions involved in conducting rigorous evaluations of large-scale randomized controlled trials in real-world settings. Trial registration: Current controlled trials ISRCTN08807396
Background There is now convincing evidence that people who are physically active live longer and have lower morbidity than those who are inactive [1-3]. It is recommended that adults engage in 30 minutes of at least moderate intensity activity on at least five days of the week [4]. In North America, however, less than half the population are meeting the recommended levels of physical activity, and this is lower still in the UK: 28% (women) to 40% (men) [5-7]. Moreover, a reduction in the manufacturing * Correspondence: [email protected] 1 Yorkshire Quality and Safety Research Group, Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
industry and a rise in more sedentary jobs such as those in the service industry across the western world means that indi
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