Rise and Recharge: Effects on Activity Outcomes of an e-Health Smartphone Intervention to Reduce Office Workers’ Sitting Time

Abigail S. Morris, Kelly A. Mackintosh, David Dunstan, Neville Owen, Paddy Dempsey, Thomas Pennington and Melitta A. McNarry
Additional contact information
Abigail S. Morris: School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, Wales, UK
Kelly A. Mackintosh: School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, Wales, UK
David Dunstan: Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
Neville Owen: Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
Paddy Dempsey: Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
Thomas Pennington: School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, Wales, UK
Melitta A. McNarry: School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, Wales, UK

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 24, 1-18

Abstract: This feasibility study evaluated the effects of an individual-level intervention to target office workers total and prolonged sedentary behaviour during working hours, using an e-health smartphone application. A three-arm (Prompt-30 or 60 min Intervention arm and a No-Prompt Comparison arm), quasi-randomised intervention was conducted over 12 weeks. Behavioural outcomes (worktime sitting, standing, stepping, prolonged sitting, and physical activity) were monitored using accelerometers and anthropometrics measured at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. Cardiometabolic measures were taken at baseline and 12 weeks. Fifty-six office workers (64% female) completed baseline assessments. The Prompt-60 arm was associated with a reduction in occupational sitting time at 6 (−46.8 min/8 h workday [95% confidence interval = −86.4, −6.6], p < 0.05) and 12 weeks (−69.6 min/8 h workday [−111.0, −28.2], p < 0.05) relative to the No-Prompt Comparison arm. Sitting was primarily replaced with standing in both arms ( p > 0.05). Both Intervention arms reduced time in prolonged sitting bouts at 12 weeks (Prompt-30: −27.0 [−99.0, 45.0]; Prompt-60: −25.8 [−98.4, 47.4] min/8 h workday; both p > 0.05). There were no changes in steps or cardiometabolic risk. Findings highlight the potential of a smartphone e-health application, suggesting 60 min prompts may present an optimal frequency to reduce total occupational sedentary behaviour.

Keywords: feasibility; workplace; intervention; sedentary behaviour; physical activity; sitting; activity breaks (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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