BE@Work (Brief Exercise at Work) is a pilot controlled before and after trial of a workplace physical activity programme.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of an 8 week workplace physical activity programme on various markers of physical fitness, cardiometabolic health and wellbeing of employees. The primary outcome measures are the following: aerobic fitness, grip strength, leg extensor power, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose levels, lipid profiles, body mass index, waist and hip circumference and self-report measures of psychological wellbeing. The secondary outcome measure is total physical activity. The primary and secondary outcomes measures will be assessed in the control and intervention groups at baseline and at the end of the intervention (8 weeks).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
• Exercises will be conducted in an interval training format (60 second exercise bursts, followed by 75 seconds rest). The exercise bursts are designed to elicit ≥85% of participants age predicted maximum heart rate and will be tailored to each individuals fitness level and ability. Exercise sessions will be conducted 3 times per week for 8 weeks and will last between 15-25 minutes.
Teesside University
Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
Aerobic fitness
Chester step test. This involves stepping onto and off a box at a height relevant to the participants age and usual physical activity level, at a set pace for a maximum of 10 minutes or until the participants heart rate reaches ≥80% of age-predicted maximum, whichever is first. Second-to-second heart rate (HR) will be monitored using a wrist worn heart rate monitor (Polar A360, Polar Electro Oy, Finland).
Time frame: 8 weeks
Alternative measure of aerobic fitness
If the participant chooses, they can also have their aerobic fitness measured using a ramp test. This will involve attending the Exercise Physiology Laboratory at Teesside University. Peak oxygen uptake will be measured by a ramp test on an electromechanically braked cycle ergometer (Lode Excalibure, Groningen, Netherlands). Participants will perform 5 minutes of submaximal exercise as a standard warm-up. Beginning with no load, power output will increase by 30 Watts (W) per minute until volitional exhaustion or the subject can no longer maintain a pedal cadence of 70-90 revolutions per minute. Expired gas will be collected and analysed throughout (Zan 600 USB CPX, nSpire Health Inc., United Kingdom), with peak oxygen uptake defined as the peak value of a 5-point average data set).
Time frame: 8 weeks
Hand grip strength
Hand grip strength will be measured using a hand dynamometer. The participant will stand with arms at their side, not touching their body holding the dynamometer in their non-dominant hand. The participant will be asked to squeeze the dynamometer with as much force as possible.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Leg extensor power
Leg extensor power will be assessed using the Nottingham leg extensor power rig, (Medical Engineering Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK). The participant is seated in an adjustable seat and presses a foot pedal until the leg is extended. This petal accelerates a flywheel, and it is this average power in watts that is measured.
Time frame: 8 weeks
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Resting blood pressure
Resting blood pressure will be measured using an electronic blood pressure monitor (Omron, M6 AC ME, Omron Healthcare, Kyoto, Japan).
Time frame: 8 weeks
Blood lipid concentration
Blood lipids will be assessed from a finger prick blood sample using the Cholestech LDX analyser (Cholestech Corporation, Hayward, CA, USA). The LDX analyser is currently used for the National Health Service Health Checks. Standard aspectic techniques will be used. A small puncture will be made in the middle finger using a one piece single use finger stick. The sample will be drawn into a 35 μL capillary tube and immediately transferred into a cassette sample well. The cassette will then be placed into the device drawer for analysis.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Body Mass Index
Body mass index will be calculated using the standard formula in units of kg/m2. Measurements of height and body mass will be taken using a standard scale and stadiometer.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Health related quality of life
Health related quality of life will be measured using a validated self-report paper based questionnaire (SF-36) (RAND, 2016). High scores mean higher quality of life.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing will be assessed using a validated self-report paper based questionnaire (Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale) (Tennant et al., 2007). The total score is obtained by summing the score for each of the 14items. Total scores range from 14-70, higher scales indicate higher mental wellbeing.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Stress
Stress will be measured using a validated self-report paper based questionnaire (Perceived Stress Scale) (Cohen \& Williamson, 1988). Scores ranging from 0-13, 14-26 and 27-40 would be considered low, medium and high perceived stress, respectively.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Blood glucose concentration
Fasting blood glucose (mmol/L) will be assessed from a finger prick blood sample using the Cholestech LDX analyser (Cholestech Corporation, Hayward, CA, USA). The LDX analyser is currently used for the National Health Service Health Checks. Standard aspectic techniques will be used. A small puncture will be made in the middle finger using a one piece single use finger stick. The sample will be drawn into a 35 μL capillary tube and immediately transferred into a cassette sample well. The cassette will then be placed into the device drawer for analysis.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Waist circumference
Waist and hip circumference will be measured using non-elastic Gulick tape measure (G-tape) at the narrowest point of the waist and broadest part of the hip.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Accelerometer assessed habitual physical activity
Measurement of habitual physical activity over a 7 day period will be assessed using a Uniaxial Actigraph accelorometer (GT1M model, Actigraph, LLC, Pensacola, Florida). The participant will wear a small hip mounted accelerometer to assess their habitual physical activity for 7 days following their baseline data collection.
Time frame: 8 weeks