Skip to main content

Table 1 Summary of studies describing non-traditional physical activity (PA) programs at workplace

From: Advancing health-enhancing physical activity at workplace: Sport4Heath 2020 scientific forum

Ref.

n

Duration

Exercise program

Measured variables

Outcomes

[29]

204 (M + F)

16 weeks

I - Progressive resistance exercise

C - Bodyweight and elastic band exercises

Musculoskeletal pain intensity

Blood pressure

1-RM strength

BMI

I ↓; C ↓

I ↓; C ↓

I ↑; C ↑

I ↓; C ↓

[30]

350 (M + F)

12 weeks

I - Ergonomics and neck/shoulder strengthening exercises

C - Ergonomics and health promotions

Work ability index

I →; C →

[27]

8143 (M + F)

72 weeks

I - Wellness program including PA and nutrition

C – No treatment

Weight loss

Engagement to exercise

Health-related questioners

Blood pressure

Blood lipids

Absentsism from work

Job performance

I ↓; C →

I ↑; C →

I →; C →

I →; C →

I →; C →

I →; C →

I →; C →

[31]

142 (M + F)

24 weeks

I - Stretching exercise

EG - Ergonomic modification group

IE - Combined exercise and ergonomic modification group

C - No treatment

Neck pain

Shoulders pain

Lower back pain

I ↓; IE ↓; EG ↓; C →

I ↓; IE ↓; EG ↓; C →

I ↓; IE ↓; EG ↓; C →

[27]

35 (M + F)

7 weeks

I - Neck shoulders resistance exercise

C - Stretching and postural exercise

Pain intensity and disability

Active ROM

Muscular endurance

SF-38

I ↓; C ↓

I ↑; C ↑

I ↑; C →

I →; C →

[22]

100 (M + F)

6 weeks

I - Pelvic control hamstring stretching

E - General hamstring stretching

C - No treatment

Oswestry disability index

Visual analog scale

Work ability index

Sit and reach test

Straight leg raise

I ↓; E ↓; C ↓

I ↓; E ↓; C →

I ↑; E ↑; C →

I ↑; E ↑; C →

I ↑; E ↑; C →

[32]

200 (F)

10 weeks

I - Strength training at work

C - Strength training at home

Vitality and mental health (SF-36)

Psychosocial work environment

Work- and leisure disability

Pain Scale

I ↑; C →

I →; C →

I →; C →

I ↓; C →

[19]

96 (M + F)

24 weeks

I - Supervised strength exercise for the back and core muscles while on duty

C - No treatment

Back and core muscular endurance

I ↑; C →

[24]

14 (M)

12 weeks

I – 60 min of specific (welding) strength training

C - No treatment

1RM strength

Blood pressure

RPE during workdays

I ↑; C →

I →; C →

I →; C →

[23]

537 (M + F)

20 weeks

I - High-intensity strength exercise for neck/shoulders

C - Guidelines and no treatment

Shoulders pain

Neck pain

I ↓; C →

I ↓; C →

[33]

20 (M + F)

16 weeks

I - Stretching exercises

IC - Combined exercise and educational intervention

EI - Educational intervention

C - No treatment

Quality of life and health

I ↑; IC ↑; EI →; C →

[20]

66 (M + F)

10 weeks

I - Strength exercise for the upper body

C - Ergonomic training

Work ability index

Visual analog scale (

I ↑; C ↓

I ↓; C ↑

[21]

58 (F)

12 weeks

I - Hamstring stretching

C – No treatment

ROM

I ↑; C: →

[25]

67 (NR)

12 weeks

I - Combination of aerobic and strength exercise

C - No-treatment

Maximal oxygen uptake

Isometric muscle strength

Blood pressure

Total cholesterol

I ↑; C →

I →; C →

I →; C →

I →; C →

[34]

48 (M + F)

6 weeks

I - Yoga exercises

C - No treatment

Profile of Mood States Bipolar

Inventory of Positive Psychological Attitudes

I ↑; C →

I ↑; C →

[35]

53 (M + F)

15 weeks

I - Light resistant training

C - Exercise guidelines and no-treatment

Low back pain

I ↓; C →

  1. Abbreviations: I intervention group; C control group; 1-RM one-repetition maximum; BMI body mass index; ROM range of motion; RPE rates of perceived exertion; IE combined exercise and ergonomic modification group; EI educational intervention EG - ergonomic modification group; IC combined exercise and educational intervention; EI educational intervention; ROM range of motion; M male; F female; ↑ - increase; ↓ - decrease; → - no change; NR not reported