The effect of worksite physical activity intervention on physical capacity, health, and productivity: a 1-year randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of two contrasting physical activity worksite interventions versus a reference intervention (REF) on various health outcomes.

Methods: A 1-year randomized controlled trial was conducted with specific resistance training (SRT), all-round physical exercise (APE), and REF.

Results: SRT and APE compared with REF showed significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (approximately 6 mm Hg), body fat percentage (approximately 2.2 body fat%), as well as shoulder and back pain (approximately 30% reduction in duration). Muscle strength (APE and SRT) and maximal oxygen uptake (APE) increased approximately 10%.

Conclusions: Worksite intervention with both SRT as well as APE is recommended, since these activities compared with REF resulted in clinically relevant reductions of cardiovascular and metabolic syndrome-related risk factors as well as musculoskeletal pain symptoms, in combination with minor increases in physical capacity.