Increasing physician activity with treadmill desks

Prolonged sitting has been shown to increase mortality and obesity.

We sought to determine whether physicians would use a treadmill desk, increase their daily physical activity and lose weight.

20 overweight and obese physicians aged 25 to 70 with Body Mass Index > 25.

Participants used a treadmill desk, a triaxial accelerometer, and received exercise counseling in a randomized, cross-over trial over 24 weeks. Group 1 received exercise counseling, accelerometer feedback, and a treadmill desk for 12 weeks and then accelerometer only for 12 weeks. Group 2 received an accelerometer without feedback for 12 weeks followed by exercise counseling, accelerometer feedback, and the treadmill desk for 12 weeks.

Daily physical activity increased while using the treadmill desk compared to not using the desk by 197 kcal per day (p=0.003). The difference in weight during the two 12 week periods was 1.85 kg (p=0.03). Percent body fat was 1.9% lower while using the treadmill desk (p=0.02). There were no differences in metabolic or well-being measures.

This study suggests that physicians will use a treadmill desk, that it does increase their activity, and that it may help with weight loss. Further studies are warranted.