Move to improve: Meta-analysis of workplace physical activity interventions

Extended periods of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior at the workplace are major risk factors for employees' health and functioning. To mitigate these risks, workplace physical activity interventions (WPAIs) are commonly implemented within occupational health management to promote employees' physical activity. This meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of WPAIs in reducing mental and physical health complaints and in improving organizational outcomes, such as absenteeism, job satisfaction, and productivity. Drawing on the biopsychosocial model, we investigate the additional impact of mindfulness-based intervention components (mind-body interventions) and group-based interventions. A systematic literature search for longitudinal randomized controlled trials across six databases (Web of Science, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE/Pubmed, Embase, APA PsycInfo, and Science Direct) yielded K = 80 randomized controlled trials. Using between-group postintervention comparisons, Bayesian three-level random-effects meta-analytic structural equation modeling revealed small to moderate positive effects for WPAIs. WPAIs were effective in reducing mental health complaints (k = 40, N = 6,602, g = -0.56), physical health complaints (k = 51, N = 7,856, g = -0.38), and improving organizational outcomes (k = 30, N = 6,680, g = 0.30). Mind-body interventions demonstrated greater effectiveness in reducing mental and physical health complaints and in improving organizational outcomes compared to body-only interventions. Group-based WPAIs were associated with better adherence within studies examining health complaints. A dose-response relationship was observed in studies investigating physical health complaints and organizational outcomes, indicating that increased WPAI usage increases benefits. Potential bias arising from unaccounted baseline values and substantial heterogeneity demand careful interpretation of findings and warrant further investigation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).