Perception and acceptance of a multicomponent routine program of active breaks for office workers

Sedentary behavior in the workplace is associated with adverse health outcomes and decreased productivity. Active breaks have emerged as a promising strategy to mitigate these negative effects.

To evaluate the effects of active breaks on well-being, productivity, and physical activity levels among 93 remote office workers (aged 18-59).

Participants completed standardized questionnaires before and after the intervention, which consisted of a multicomponent program with four stages: (1) educational lectures, (2) individualized guidance, (3) support groups, and (4) the use of a mobile application. Active breaks lasted 3-5 minutes and were performed four times per day at two-hour intervals.

Following the intervention, 95% of participants incorporated active breaks into their daily routine (p < 0.001). Significant improvements were observed in perceived energy levels (p < 0.001), stress reduction (p < 0.001), decreased frequency of lower back pain (p < 0.001), and sleep quality (p < 0.001). Additionally, 73% reported increased vitality and reduced stress, while 88.1% expressed high satisfaction with the new routine.

The multicomponent active break program effectively reduced the negative impacts of sedentary behavior, enhancing well-being and productivity among remote workers. The intervention demonstrated feasibility and scalability, although further research is needed to support long-term implementation in occupational health policies.