Effect of a 5-Month Worksite Physical Activity Program on Tertiary Employees Overall Health and Fitness. Issue 2 (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Genin, Pauline Manon; Degoutte, Fabrice; Finaud, Julien; Pereira, Bruno; Thivel, David; Duclos, Martine
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 59:Issue 2(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000945
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: This pilot study questions the effects of a worksite physical activity program on health and fitness in tertiary employees. Methods: Ninety-five employees were randomly assigned to Control (CON); Novice (NOV); Experienced group (EXP). The NOV and EXP groups followed a 5-month worksite physical activity program (at least two sessions/week). Body composition, physical activity level and physical fitness, eating habits, health perception, sleep quality, pain, and quality of life were assessed. Results: Fat mass decreased in NOV and EXP; the distance covered during the 6-minute walking test, push-ups, squat jump increased for NOV and EXP group. Physical activity level, health perception, quality of sleep, and eating habits were improved in NOV. Conclusion: This study underlines for the first time the beneficial effects of such worksite programs among tertiary employees on overall health and the feasibility of its design.