Evaluation of a Treadmill Workstation in an Emergency Dispatch Center

Overview

The principal objective of this study is to determine if the provision of a treadmill workstation in an emergency medical services (EMS) dispatch center increases the number of steps that participants make daily within 6 months compared to the usual working conditions. The investigators hypothesized that the provision of a treadmill workstation with a slow walking could increase the number of daily steps and decrease days of leave, musculoskeletal disorders without decreasing the dispatch quality.

Sedentariness, measured by the daily duration of time spent seated is a cardiovascular risk factor, chronic pathologies (cancer, musculoskeletal pain) and mortality. The employees who remain seated from 8 to 11 hours per day have an increase risk of death within 3 years (15%). This increase reaches 40% for more than 11 hours a day. The restoration of a daily moderate physical activity from 60 to 75 minutes could permit to eliminate this increased risk. Interventions in workplace to limit sitting are associated with a metabolic benefit, but also with a reduction in musculoskeletal problems and fatigue. The role of dispatchers is to initiate the medical record by determining the severity of the call and take rapid and adequate decision. They are seated behind their desks from 8 to 11 hours in a busy and stressful environment. Many dispatchers are complaining of musculoskeletal disorders and weight gain. An internal study conducted between between 2012 and 2016 showed an increase in long-term pain, irritability and sleep disorders. Overall, 65% of the respondents reported that they were tired at work and had less empathy. The use of workstations with low-speed treadmills were assessed to allow physical activity at work. A recent review concluded that their use reduced the time that the employees spent seated, stress and improved energy expenditure, as well as different biological and physical parameters (weight loss, lipid determination, glycaemia). This study did not reveal any alterations in performance at work. The investigators assume that the establishment of a position allowing slow walk during dispatch call would increase the number of steps made by dispatchers on a daily basis and reduce the number of days of leave and musculoskeletal disorders, without impairing the quality of call pick-up.

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes