Activity Behaviors of University Staff in the Workplace: A Pilot Study

Title
Activity Behaviors of University Staff in the Workplace: A Pilot Study
Publication Date
2015-08
Author(s)
Bird, Marie-Louise
Shing, Cecilia
Mainsbridge, Casey
Cooley, Dean
Pedersen, Scott
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Human Kinetics, Inc
Place of publication
United States of America
DOI
10.1123/jpah.2014-0259
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/53512
Abstract

Background: Sedentary behavior is related to metabolic syndrome and might have implications for the long-term health of workers in a low activity environment. The primary aim of this pilot study was to determine activity levels of adults working at a University during work hours. A secondary aim was to determine the relationship between actual and perceived activity levels. Methods: Activity levels of university staff (n = 15, male = 7, age = 53 ± 7 years, BMI = 26.5 ± 2.5kg·m2) were monitored over 5 consecutive workdays using SenseWear accelerometers, then participants completed a questionnaire of their perception of workplace sedentary time. Results: Each participant spent 71.5 ± 13.1% (358 ± 78 min) of their workday being sedentary (< 1.5 METs), 15.6 ± 9.0% involved in light activity (1.5–3 METs), 11.7 ± 10.0% in moder-ate activity (3–5 METs), and 1.1 ± 1.3% in vigorous activity (> 5 METs) (P < .0001). The mean difference between actual (SenseWear < 1.5 METs) and perceived sitting time was –2 ± 32%; however, perceived sedentary time was reported with a range of under-to-over estimation of –75% to 51%. Conclusion: This pilot study identifies long periods of low metabolic activity during the workday and poor perception of individual sedentary time. Interventions to reduce sedentary time in the workplace may be necessary to ensure that the work environment does not adversely affect long-term health.

Link
Citation
Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 12(8), p. 1128-1132
ISSN
1543-5474
1543-3080
Pubmed ID
25329586
Start page
1128
End page
1132

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