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Published on: March 7, 2019
Meta-analysis of workplace physical activity interventions.
Vicki S Conn1, Adam R Hafdahl, Pamela S Cooper
1School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA. conn@missouri.edu
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|September 22, 2009
Summary
Worksite physical activity programs significantly improve physical activity behavior, fitness, and reduce job stress. These interventions also positively impact health markers and work attendance, demonstrating workplace health promotion benefits.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Most adults do not meet recommended physical activity levels.
- Worksite health promotion offers potential benefits, but comprehensive meta-analyses are lacking.
- This study integrates diverse worksite physical activity intervention research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis of worksite physical activity interventions.
- To summarize health and physical activity behavior outcomes.
- To identify the effectiveness of workplace health promotion programs.
Main Methods:
- Extensive literature search for published and unpublished studies (1969-2007).
- Random-effects meta-analytic procedures and moderator analyses.
- Synthesis of effect sizes across approximately 38,231 subjects.
Main Results:
- Positive effects observed for physical activity behavior (d=0.21), fitness (d=0.57), lipids (d=0.13), anthropometrics (d=0.08), work attendance (d=0.19), and job stress (d=0.33).
- Significant effect size for diabetes risk (d=0.98) noted, though less robust due to small sample sizes.
- Fitness improvements equate to a 3.5 mL/kg/min increase in VO2max.
Conclusions:
- Workplace physical activity interventions can enhance both health and worksite outcomes.
- Variability in effects highlights the diversity of intervention studies.
- Future research should compare interventions to confirm causality and explore heterogeneity.