Workplace active breaks for university workers: the UNIFIT pilot study protocol

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Sedentary behaviour (SB) is linked to metabolic issues, cardiovascular diseases, mortality, and muscle aging.
• Office workers spend a significant portion of their day sedentary (up to 82%).
• Workplaces have a role in promoting physical activity and reducing employee SB.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a workplace active breaks (ABs) program.
• To interrupt sedentary behaviour among university workers.
• To provide a basis for future large-scale research on ABs interventions.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental pilot study design.
• Inclusion of both intervention and control groups.
• An 8-week ABs program for the intervention group.

Main Results:

• The study aimed to implement an 8-week active breaks program.
• Data collection and analysis are pending for definitive results.
• Preliminary findings will inform future research.

Conclusions:

• Active breaks are a potential strategy to mitigate risks of sedentary behaviour in the workplace.
• Workplace interventions like ABs can help reduce prolonged sitting.
• Further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of ABs programs.