title: Long Term Effects on Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease after 12-Months of Aerobic Exercise Intervention - A Worksite RCT among Cleaners The Effect of Worksite Physical Activity Intervention on Physical Capacity, Health, and Productivity: A 1-Year Randomized Controlled Trial Effect of a 5-Month Worksite Physical Activity Program on Tertiary Employees Overall Health and Fitness Effects of 12 months aerobic exercise intervention on work ability, need for recovery, productivity and rating of exertion among cleaners: a worksite RCT Age, sex, race, initial fitness, and response to training: the HERITAGE Family Study. Health-related quality of life and sickness absence in community nursing home employees: randomized controlled trial of physical exercise. Normative values for musculoskeletal- and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy Norwegian adults and the association with obesity: a cross-sectional study A worksite vitality intervention to improve older workers' lifestyle and vitality-related outcomes: results of a randomised controlled trial Does training frequency and supervision affect compliance, performance and muscular health? A cluster randomized controlled trial. Exercise at an onsite facility with or without direct exercise supervision improves health‐related physical fitness and exercise participation: An 8‐week randomised controlled trial with 15‐month follow‐up Prognostic value of grip strength: findings from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study Implementing intelligent physical exercise training at the workplace: health effects among office workers—a randomized controlled trial A randomised controlled trial among cleaners-Effects on strength, balance and kinesiophobia When Intervention Meets Organisation, a Qualitative Study of Motivation and Barriers to Physical Exercise at the Workplace Effects on muscle strength, maximal jump height, flexibility and postural sway after soccer and Zumba exercise among female hospital employees: a 9-month randomised controlled trial Intelligent Physical Exercise Training in a Workplace Setting Improves Muscle Strength and Musculoskeletal Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial The effect of a resistance-training program on muscle strength, physical workload, muscle fatigue and musculoskeletal discomfort: an experiment. The Effect of Intelligent Physical Exercise Training on Sickness Presenteeism and Absenteeism Among Office Workers Workplace Exercise and Educational Program for Improving Fitness Outcomes Related to Health in Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial Time course for strength and muscle thickness changes following upper and lower body resistance training in men and women Impact of a Supervised Worksite Exercise Program on Back and Core Muscular Endurance in Firefighters Effect of individualized worksite exercise training on aerobic capacity and muscle strength among construction workers--a randomized controlled intervention study. Reliability of the PEDro scale for rating quality of randomized controlled trials. The Effects of Lower Extremity Strengthening Delivered in the Workplace on Physical Function and Work-Related Outcomes Among Desk-Based Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial The effect of 2 walking programs on aerobic fitness, body composition, and physical activity in sedentary office employees Do soccer and Zumba exercise improve fitness and indicators of health among female hospital employees? A 12-week RCT.
abstract: Objectives Occupational groups exposed to high occupational physical activity have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) . This may be explained by the high relative aerobic workload . Enhanced cardiorespiratory fitness reduces the relative aerobic workload . Thus , the aim was to evaluate the 12-months effects of worksite aerobic exercise on risk factors for CVD among cleaners . Methods One hundred and sixteen cleaners aged 18–65 years were r and omized to a group performing aerobic exercise and a reference group receiving lectures . Outcomes were collected at baseline and after 12-months . A repeated measures 2 × 2 multi-adjusted mixed-model design was applied to compare the between-group differences using intention-to-treat analysis . Results Between-group differences ( p<0.05 ) were found favouring the aerobic exercise group : cardiorespiratory fitness 2.15 ( SE 1.03 ) mlO2/min/kg , aerobic workload -2.15 ( SE 1.06 ) % HRR , resting HR -5.31 ( SE 1.61 ) beats/min , high sensitive C-reactive protein -0.65 ( SE 0.24 ) μg/ml . The blood pressure was unaltered . Stratified analyses on relative aerobic workload at baseline revealed that those with relative aerobic workloads ≥30 % of HRR seems to impose a notable adverse effect on resting and ambulatory blood pressure . Conclusion This long-term worksite aerobic exercise intervention among cleaners led to several beneficial effects , but also potential adverse effects among those with high relative aerobic workloads . Trial Registration Controlled-Trials.com IS RCT Objective : To investigate the effect of two contrasting physical activity worksite interventions versus a reference intervention ( REF ) on various health outcomes . Methods : A 1-year r and omized controlled trial was conducted with specific resistance training ( SRT ) , all-round physical exercise ( APE ) , and REF . Results : SRT and APE compared with REF showed significant reductions in systolic blood pressure ( ∼6 mm Hg ) , body fat percentage ( ∼2.2 body fat% ) , as well as shoulder and back pain ( ∼30 % reduction in duration ) . Muscle strength ( APE and SRT ) and maximal oxygen uptake ( APE ) increased approximately 10 % . Conclusions : Worksite intervention with both SRT as well as APE is recommended , since these activities compared with REF result ed in clinical ly relevant reductions of cardiovascular and metabolic syndrome-related risk factors as well as musculoskeletal pain symptoms , in combination with minor increases in physical capacity Objective : This pilot study questions the effects of a worksite physical activity program on health and fitness in tertiary employees . Methods : Ninety-five employees were r and omly assigned to Control ( CON ) ; Novice ( NOV ) ; Experienced group ( EXP ) . The NOV and EXP groups followed a 5-month worksite physical activity program ( at least two sessions/week ) . Body composition , physical activity level and physical fitness , eating habits , health perception , sleep quality , pain , and quality of life were assessed . Results : Fat mass decreased in NOV and EXP ; the distance covered during the 6-minute walking test , push-ups , squat jump increased for NOV and EXP group . Physical activity level , health perception , quality of sleep , and eating habits were improved in NOV . Conclusion : This study underlines for the first time the beneficial effects of such worksite programs among tertiary employees on overall health and the feasibility of its design Purpose This study assessed the effects of a worksite aerobic exercise intervention among cleaners on :  work ability , need for recovery , productivity , and rating of exertion . Methods In a monocentric r and omised controlled trial in Denmark , 116 , of 250 invited , cleaners were cluster-r and omised ( work location ; sex ; age ; length of service ) to aerobic exercise [ N = 57 , 44.9 years , 75.4 % female , body mass index ( BMI ) 26.2 ] , receiving 2 weekly aerobic exercise sessions during 12 months , or a  reference group ( N = 59 , 45.7 years , 76.3 % female , BMI 27.1 ) , receiving health-promoting lectures .  Self-reported data on outcomes and sociodemographic information were collected at baseline , and at 4 and 12 month follow-up . All outcomes were analysed in a linear repeated- measures 2 × 2 mixed-model by an intention-to-treat analysis approach . Results Drop-out was 26 and 33 % at 4 and 12 months , respectively  . Aerobic exercise adherence was 51 % during the first 4 months . At 4 month follow-up no effects were found . At 12 month follow-up , work ability significantly increased by 0.59 on a 0–10 scale ( 95 % CI 0.05–1.13 ) and need for recovery significantly decreased by − 11.0 on a 0–100 scale ( 95 % CI − 19.8 to − 2.2 ) in the aerobic exercise group compared to the reference group . Productivity and rating of exertion were unaltered . Analysis stratified on age showed significant effects only among the participants aged ≤ 45 years . Conclusions After 12 months work ability improved and need for recovery decreased . A period of 4 months was insufficient to affect these outcomes emphasising that longer interventions may be needed to induce effects on work ability and need for recovery Effects of age , sex , race , and initial fitness on training responses of maximal O(2 ) uptake ( VO(2 max ) ) are unclear . Data were available on 435 whites and 198 blacks ( 287 men and 346 women ) , aged 17 - 65 yr , before and after st and ardized cycle ergometer training .  Individual responses varied widely , but VO(2 max ) increased significantly for all groups . Responses by men and women and by blacks and whites of all ages varied widely . There was no sex difference for change ( Delta ) in VO(2 max ) ( ml . kg(-1 ) . min(-1 ) ) ; women had lower initial values and greater relative ( % ) increases . Blacks began with lower values but had similar responses . Older subjects had a lower Delta but a similar percent change . Baseline VO(2 max ) correlated nonsignificantly with DeltaVO(2 max ) but significantly with percent change . There were high , medium , and low responders in all age groups , both sexes , both races , and all levels of initial fitness . Age , sex , race , and initial fitness have little influence on VO(2 max ) response to st and ardized training in a large heterogeneous sample of sedentary black and white men and women BACKGROUND It is a common belief that physical exercise at the workplace decreases subjective health complaints and reduces sickness absence , but this is not supported by previous r and omized studies . AIMS To evaluate the effectiveness of physical exercise at the workplace . METHODS One hundred and twenty-nine employees in a community-based nursing home for the elderly were r and omized into physical exercise or control groups . A weekly exercise class consisting of light aerobic exercise , muscle strengthening and stretching was held for a 6-month period . The control group was told to continue their ordinary activity . The main outcome measures were aerobic fitness ( UKK , walking test ) , health-related quality of life ( COOP/WONCA ) and sickness absence . Blinded assessment s were carried out at baseline and following the 6-month intervention . Complete sickness absence data were collected from a community register for two comparable 7-month periods . RESULTS The average number of exercise sessions was 12 ( 0 - 26 ) . Self-reported physical activity increased in the intervention group compared with the control group ( P < 0.01 ) . Aerobic fitness improved in both groups ( P < 0.01 ) . Mean sickness absence increased from 6.8 to 15.6 days in the exercise group and from 10.4 to 14.5 in the control group . No differences between groups were found for aerobic fitness , health-related quality of life or sickness absence . CONCLUSION The intervention neither improved health-related quality of life nor reduced sickness absence Background Up-to- date research on musculoskeletal- and neuromotor fitness ( MSMF ) is lacking . The aims of the present paper were to a ) establish normative values of MSMF by gender and age , and b ) to assess how much of the variance in MSMF can be explained by obesity in adults . Methods A r and om selection of 726 Norwegians ( 20–65 years ) participated in a national cross-sectional study . Muscular endurance , muscular strength , explosive power , flexibility and balance were assessed in addition to  waist circumference ( WC ) . Results Females displayed significantly higher scores compared to males on muscular endurance of the back extensors and on the flexibility tests ( p < 0.001 ) . Males displayed significantly higher scores than females ( p < 0.001 ) on h and grip strength , modified push-ups , and explosive power . An inverse association was found between age and all MSMF scores for females ( Beta:−0.06–(−0.92 ) , p ≤ 0.044 ) and males ( Beta:−0.15–(0.91 ) , p ≤ 0.006 ) , where younger participants displayed higher test scores on all MSMF tests , compared to older participants . Furthermore , participants showing higher scores on WC displayed lower scores on the following MSMF tests for both females and males : muscular endurance of the back extensors , balance , flexibility of the shoulder , and explosive power ( p < 0.001 ) . Additionally , male participants with higher WC scores showed lower scores on muscular endurance of the upper body and flexibility of the hamstrings compared to males with lower WC scores ( p < 0.001 ) . Conclusions The data provide normative values of MSMF for adults based on age and gender , and support an inverse relationship of MSMF to age and WC Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a worksite vitality intervention on vigorous physical activity ( VPA ) , fruit intake , aerobic capacity , mental health and need for recovery after work among older hospital workers ( ie , 45 years and older ) . Methods The 6-month intervention was evaluated using a r and omised controlled trial design . Workers who were r and omised to the intervention group ( n=367 ; control : n=363 ) received the Vital@Work intervention containing ( 1 ) a Vitality Exercise Program ( VEP ) combined with ( 2 ) three visits to Personal Vitality Coach . The VEP consisted of a weekly yoga session , a weekly workout session and weekly unsupervised aerobic exercising . Free fruit was provided at the VEP . Data on the outcome measures were collected ( ie , year 2009–2010 ) at baseline ( n=730 ) and 6 months of follow-up after baseline ( n=575 ) using question naires , accelerometers and 2 km walk tests . Effects were analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle with complete cases ( n=575 ) and imputed data ( n=730 ) using linear regression analyses . Additional analyses were performed for high yoga and workout compliance ( ie , > mean number of sessions ) . Results Effects were found for sports activities ( β=40.4 min/week , 95 % CI 13.0 to 67.7 ) and fruit intake ( β=2.7 pieces/week , 95 % CI 0.07 to 4.7 ) and were stronger for workers with high compliance to yoga ( sport : β=49.6 min/week , 95 % CI 13.9 to 85.2 ; fruit : β=3.8 pieces/week , 95 % CI 1.1 to 6.4 ) and workout sessions ( sport : β=72.9 min/week , 95 % CI 36.1 to 109.8 ; fruit : β=4.0 pieces/week , 95 % CI 1.1 to 6.4 ) . The intervention group lowered their need for recovery , when compared to controls ( β=−3.5 , 95 % CI −6.4 to −0.54 ) , with stronger effects for high workout compliance ( β=−5.3 , 95 % CI −9.3 to −1.3 ) . No effects were found on VPA , aerobic capacity or mental health . Conclusions Implementation of worksite yoga and workout facilities and minimal fruit interventions should be considered by employers to promote transitions into healthier lifestyles and thereby health The aim was to determine the effect of one weekly hour of specific strength training within working hours , performed with the same total training volume but with different training frequencies and duration s , or with different levels of supervision , on compliance , muscle health and performance , behavior and work performance . In total , 573 office workers were cluster-r and omized to : 1 WS : one 60-min supervised session/week , 3 WS : three 20-min supervised sessions/week , 9 WS : nine 7-min supervised sessions/week , 3 MS : three 20-min sessions/week with minimal supervision , or REF : a reference group without training . Outcomes were diary-based compliance , total training volume , muscle performance and question naire-based health , behavior and work performance . Comparisons were made among the WS training groups and between 3 WS and 3 MS . If no difference , training groups were collapsed ( TG ) and compared with REF . Results demonstrated similar degrees of compliance , mean(range ) of 39(33 - 44)% , and total training volume , 13.266(11.977 - 15.096)kg . Musculoskeletal pain in neck and shoulders were reduced with approx . 50 % in TG , which was significant compared with REF . Only the training groups improved significantly their muscle strength 8(4 - 13)% and endurance 27(12 - 37)% , both being significant compared with REF . No change in workability , productivity or self-rated health was demonstrated . Secondary analysis showed exercise self-efficacy to be a significant predictor of compliance . Regardless of training schedule and supervision , similar degrees of compliance were shown together with reduced musculoskeletal pain and improved muscle performance . These findings provide evidence that a great degree of flexibility is legitimate for companies in planning future implementation of physical exercise programs at the workplace . Clinical Trials.gov , number NCT01027390 ISSUE ADDRESSED Physical activity and exercise participation is limited by a perceived lack of time , poor access to facilities and low motivation . The aim was to assess whether providing an exercise program to be completed at the workplace with or without direct supervision was effective for promoting health-related physical fitness and exercise participation . METHODS Fifty university employees aged ( Mean ± SD ) 42.5 ± 11.1 years were prescribed a moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise program to be completed at an onsite facility for 8 weeks . Participants were r and omly allocated to receive direct exercise supervision or not . Cardiorespiratory fitness ( V̇O2max ) and maximal muscular strength were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks . Self-report physical activity was assessed at baseline , 8 weeks and 15 months post-intervention . RESULTS Attendance or exercise session volume were not different between groups . Cardiorespiratory fitness ( Mean ± 95 % CI ) ; + 1.9 ± 0.7 mL·kg·min-1 ; P < .001 ) , relative knee flexion ( + 7.4 ± 3.5 Nm·kg-1 % ; P < .001 ) and extension ( + 7.4 ± 4.6 Nm·kg-1 % ; P < .01 ) strength increased , irrespective of intervention group . Self-reported vigorous-intensity physical activity increased over the intervention ( mean ± 95 % CI ; + 450 ± 222 MET·minutes per week ; P < .001 ) , but did not remain elevated at 15 months ( + 192 ± 276 MET·minutes per week ) . CONCLUSION Providing a workplace exercise facility to complete an individually-prescribed 8-week exercise program is sufficient to improve health-related physical fitness in the short-term independent to the level of supervision provided , but does not influence long-term participation . SO WHAT ? : Lower cost onsite exercise facility supervision is as effective at improving physical health and fitness as directly supervised exercise , however ongoing support may be required for sustained physical activity behaviour change BACKGROUND Reduced muscular strength , as measured by grip strength , has been associated with an increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality . Grip strength is appealing as a simple , quick , and inexpensive means of stratifying an individual 's risk of cardiovascular death . However , the prognostic value of grip strength with respect to the number and range of population s and confounders is unknown . The aim of this study was to assess the independent prognostic importance of grip strength measurement in socioculturally and economically diverse countries . METHODS The Prospect i ve Urban-Rural Epidemiology ( PURE ) study is a large , longitudinal population study done in 17 countries of varying incomes and sociocultural setting s. We enrolled an unbiased sample of households , which were eligible if at least one household member was aged 35 - 70 years and if household members intended to stay at that address for another 4 years .  Participants were assessed for grip strength , measured using a Jamar dynamometer . During a median follow-up of 4.0 years ( IQR 2.9 - 5.1 ) , we assessed all-cause mortality , cardiovascular mortality , non-cardiovascular mortality , myocardial infa rct ion , stroke , diabetes , cancer , pneumonia , hospital admission for pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) , hospital admission for any respiratory disease ( including COPD , asthma , tuberculosis , and pneumonia ) , injury due to fall , and fracture . Study outcomes were adjudicated using source documents by a local investigator , and a subset were adjudicated central ly . FINDINGS Between January , 2003 , and December , 2009 , a total of 142,861 participants were enrolled in the PURE study , of whom 139,691 with known vital status were included in the analysis . During a median follow-up of 4.0 years ( IQR 2.9 - 5.1 ) , 3379 ( 2 % ) of 139,691 participants died . After adjustment , the association between grip strength and each outcome , with the exceptions of cancer and hospital admission due to respiratory illness , was similar across country-income strata . Grip strength was inversely associated with all-cause mortality ( hazard ratio per 5 kg reduction in grip strength 1.16 , 95 % CI 1.13 - 1.20 ; p<0.0001 ) , cardiovascular mortality ( 1.17 , 1.11 - 1.24 ; p<0.0001 ) , non-cardiovascular mortality ( 1.17 , 1.12 - 1.21 ; p<0.0001 ) , myocardial infa rct ion ( 1.07 , 1.02 - 1.11 ; p=0.002 ) , and stroke ( 1.09 , 1.05 - 1.15 ; p<0.0001 ) . Grip strength was a stronger predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality than systolic blood pressure . We found no significant association between grip strength and incident diabetes , risk of hospital admission for pneumonia or COPD , injury from fall , or fracture . In high-income countries , the risk of cancer and grip strength were positively associated ( 0.916 , 0.880 - 0.953 ; p<0.0001 ) , but this association was not found in middle-income and low-income countries . INTERPRETATION This study suggests that measurement of grip strength is a simple , inexpensive risk-stratifying method for all-cause death , cardiovascular death , and cardiovascular disease . Further research is needed to identify determinants of muscular strength and to test whether improvement in strength reduces mortality and cardiovascular disease . FUNDING Full funding sources listed at end of paper ( see Acknowledgments ) Purpose The aim was to assess 1-year cardiovascular health effects of Intelligent Physical Exercise Training , IPET . Methods Office workers from six companies were r and omized 1:1 to a  training group , TG ( N = 194 ) or a  control group  , CG ( N = 195 ) . TG received 1-h supervised high intensity IPET every week within working hours for 1 year , and was recommended to perform 30-min of moderate intensity physical activity 6 days a week during leisure . The training program was based on baseline health check measures of cardiorespiratory fitness ( CRF ) , body composition , blood pressure , blood profile , and musculoskeletal health . Results There were no baseline differences between groups . CRF assessed as VO2max in absolute values and relative to body weight was ( mean ± SD ) : 3.0 ± 0.8 l/min and 35.4 ± 10.9 ml/min/kg for females , 3.9 ± 1.0 l/min and 37.9 ± 11.79 ml/min/kg for males . Intention to treat analysis demonstrated a significant almost 5 % increase in VO2max in TG compared with CG . A per protocol analysis of those with an adherence of ≥70 % demonstrated a significant increase in CRF of more than 10 % compared with CG , and a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure ( −5.3 ± 13.7 mm Hg ) compared with CG . Conclusion High intensity IPET combined with the recommendations of moderate intensity physical activity demonstrated significant clinical relevant improvements in CRF and systolic blood pressure . This underlines the effectiveness of health promotion by implementing physical exercise training at the workplace Background Cleaners constitute a job group with poor health and low socioeconomic re sources . Therefore , there is a great need for scientifically documented health promoting initiatives for cleaners . However , both workplace initiatives and high quality intervention studies are lacking . The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 3-month workplace trial with interventions to improve physical or cognitive behavioural re sources among cleaners . Methods A cluster r and omised controlled trial was conducted among 294 female cleaners from 9 workplaces . The participants were allocated to three groups : Physical coordination training ( PCT , n = 95 ) , Cognitive behavioural theory-based training ( CBTr , n = 99 ) and Reference group ( REF , n = 100 ) . Interventions were conducted during work hours for an average of 1 hour/week . Muscle strength was measured by maximal voluntary contractions in trunk/extension , and shoulder abduction/elevation . Postural balance was measured on a force platform . Kinesiophobia was measured with Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia . Test and question naires were completed at baseline and at 3-month follow-up and analyses followed the intention-to-treat ( ITT ) principle with last observation carried forward in case of missing data at follow-up . Reports and analyses are given on true observations as well . Results ITT-analyses revealed that PCT improved strength of the trunk ( p < .05 ) and postural balance ( p < .05 ) compared to CBTr and REF . Based on true observations the strength and balance improvements corresponded to ~20 % and ~16 % , respectively . ITT-analyses showed that CBTr reduced kinesiophobia compared to PCT and REF ( p < .05 ) . Based on true observations , the improvement corresponded to a ~16 % improvement . Conclusion This workplace-based intervention study including PCT and CBTr among cleaners improved strength and postural balance from PCT , and kinesiophobia from CBTr . The improved strength , postural balance and kinesiophobia may improve the cleaners ' tolerance for high physical work dem and s. Future studies should investigate the potential in the combination of PCT and CBTr in a workplace intervention . Trial registration Current controlled trials IS RCT Objective . To provide a comprehensive underst and ing of the motivational factors and barriers that are important for compliance with high-intensity workplace physical exercise that is aim ed at reducing musculoskeletal disorders . Method . The present study , which used semideductive , thematic , and structured in-depth interviews , was nested in a 20-week cluster r and omised controlled trial among office workers .  Interviews were conducted with 18 informants with diverse fields of sedentary office work who participated in strength training at the workplace for 20 minutes , three times per week . Organisational , implementational , and individual motives and barriers were explored . Results & Discussion . The results show that attention should be given to the interaction between the management , the employees , and the intervention , as the main barrier to compliance was the internal working culture . The results emphasised the need for a clear connection between the management 's implementational intentions and the actual implementation . The results emphasise the importance of ensuring the legitimacy of the intervention among managers , participants , and colleagues . Moreover , it is important to central ly organise , structure , and ensure flexibility in the working day to free time for participants to attend the intervention . Recommendations from this study suggest that a thorough intervention mapping process should be performed to analyse organisational and implementational factors before initiating workplace physical exercise training ABSTRACT This 9-month r and omised controlled workplace physical activity trial investigated the effects of soccer and Zumba exercise , respectively , on muscle strength , maximal jump height , sit- and -reach flexibility and postural sway among female workers . A total of 107 female hospital employees aged 25–63 were cluster-r and omised  to a soccer group , a Zumba group or a control group .  Training was conducted outside working hours as two to three 1-h weekly sessions the first 3 months and once a week the last 6 months . Tests were conducted at baseline , after 3 and 9 months . The soccer group improved maximal neck extension strength both after 3 ( 1.2 kg ; P < 0.05 ) and 9 months ( 1.7 kg ; P < 0.01 ) compared to the control group . The Zumba group improved maximal trunk extension strength ( 3.1 kg ; P = 0.04 ) after 3 months , with improvements in postural sway velocity moment ( −9.2 mm2/s ; P < 0.05 ) and lower limb lean mass ( 0.4 kg ; P < 0.05 ) after 9 months . No significant intervention effects were revealed in vertical jump height or sit- and -reach flexibility . The present study indicates that workplace-initiated soccer and Zumba exercise may be beneficial for improvement of the neck and trunk strength , which may have preventive effects with regard to future perceived muscle pain in the respective body regions . Furthermore , the Zumba group revealed positive effects on lower limb lean mass and postural sway compared to the control group Purpose To assess effects of 1-year Intelligent Physical Exercise Training ( IPET ) on  musculoskeletal health . Methods Office workers were r and omized 1 : 1 to a training group , TG ( N = 193 ) , or a control group , CG ( N = 194 ) . TG received 1 h supervised high intensity IPET every week within working hours for 1 year and was recommended to perform 30 min of moderate intensity physical activity for 6 days a week during leisure . The IPET program was based on baseline health measures . Results No baseline differences were present . An intention-to-treat analysis showed significant between-group effect for muscle strength but not for musculoskeletal pain . However , a per- protocol analysis of those with an adherence of ≥70 % demonstrated a significant between-group effect for neck pain during the past three months . Several significant within-group changes were present , where TG and TG ≥ 70 % demonstrated clinical ly relevant pain reductions whereas minimal reductions were seen for CG . Conclusion IPET and recommendations of moderate intensity physical activity demonstrated significant between-group effect on muscle strength . Interestingly , significant within-group reductions in musculoskeletal pain were seen not only in TG but also in CG . This may underlie the lack of such between-group effect and shows that a possible positive side effect of merely drawing attention can improve musculoskeletal health The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of a resistance-training program on muscle strength of the back and neck/shoulder muscles , relative physical workload , muscle fatigue and musculoskeletal discomfort during a simulated assembly and lifting task . Twenty-two workers were r and omized over an 8-week resistance-training group , and a control group .  Isokinetic muscle strength was assessed using the  Cybex dynamometer  , muscle fatigue was measured using EMG , and perceived discomfort was measured using a 10-point scale . At the follow-up , we found no effect of the resistance-training program on isokinetic muscle strength of the back and shoulder muscles . Furthermore , we did not find any effect on EMG data , nor on musculoskeletal discomfort during the simulated work tasks . However , trained workers performed the lifting tasks for a longer time before reporting considerable discomfort than those in the control group Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of individually tailored intelligent physical exercise training ( IPET ) on  presenteeism and absenteeism among office workers . Methods : In a 1-year r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) , employees were allocated to a training group TG ( N = 193 ) or control group CG ( N = 194 ) . TG received 1-hour high-intensity IPET once a week within working hours , and was recommended to perform 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity ( PA ) 6 days a week during leisure-time . Results : An intention-to-treat analysis showed no effect on absenteeism , but a significant 4 % increase in workability and 9 % increase in general health in TG compared with CG . A per- protocol analysis [ adherence of ≥70 % ( N = 89 ) ] in addition showed a significant 6 % increase in productivity and a 29 % reduction in absenteeism compared with CG . Conclusion : IPET combined with recommendations of leisure-time PA significantly improved presenteeism and decreased absenteeism if following the protocol Objective : To investigate the effects of a workplace fitness and education program intervention on physical fitness of workers . Methods : Employees from a chemical plant ( n = 60 ) participated in a 4-month longitudinal study . They were r and omly distributed in control and experimental groups . The experimental group had 4 months of exercise training in 15-minute sessions . The following evaluations were performed before and after the training period : body composition , localized muscle strength , and flexibility . Results : The experimental group showed a significant decrease in body fat ( 24.7 % ) and a significant increase in lean mass ( 6.1 % ) , flexibility ( 17.9 % ) , sit-up test performance ( 39.8 % ) , and push-up test performance ( 29.8 % ) after the workplace fitness and education program compared with initial values . Conclusions : A structured program of physical exercise was effective in improving body composition , abdominal strength , upper limb strength , and flexibility in workers Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the time course of skeletal muscle adaptations result ing from high-intensity , upper and lower body dynamic resistance training ( WT ) .  A group of 17 men and 20 women were recruited for WT , and 6 men and 7 women served as a control group . The WT group performed six dynamic resistance exercises to fatigue using 8–12 repetition maximum ( RM ) . The subjects trained 3 days a week for 12 weeks . One-RM knee extension ( KE ) and chest press ( CP ) exercises were measured at baseline and at weeks 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , and 12 for the WT group . Muscle thickness ( MTH ) was measured by ultrasound at eight anatomical sites . One-RM CP and KE strength had increased significantly at week 4 for the female WT group . For the men in the WT group , 1 RM had increased significantly at week 2 for KE and at week 6 for CP . The mean relative increases in KE and CP strength were 19 % and 19 % for the men and 19 % and 27 % for the women , respectively , after 12 weeks of WT . Resistance training elicited a significant increase in MTH of the chest and triceps muscles at week 6 in both sexes . There were non-significant trends for increases in quadriceps MTH for the WT groups . The relative increases in upper and lower body MTH were 12%–21 % and 7%–9 % in the men and 10%–31 % and 7%–8 % in the women respectively , after 12 weeks of WT . These results would suggest that increases in MTH in the upper body are greater and occur earlier compared to the lower extremity , during the first 12 weeks of a total body WT programme . The time-course and proportions of the increase in strength and MTH were similar for both the men and the women Purpose . Low back pain is a leading cause of disability in firefighters and is related to poor muscular endurance . This study examined the impact of supervised worksite exercise on back and core muscular endurance in firefighters . Design . A cluster r and omized controlled trial was used for this study Setting . The study occurred in fire stations of a municipal fire department ( Tampa , Florida ) . Subjects . Subjects were 96 full-duty career firefighters who were r and omly assigned by fire station to exercise ( n = 54 ) or control ( n = 42 ) groups . Intervention . Exercise group participants completed a supervised exercise targeting the back and core muscles while on duty , two times per week for 24 weeks , in addition to their usual fitness regimen . Control group participants continued their usual fitness regimen . Measures . Back and core muscular endurance was assessed with the Biering-Sorensen test and plank test , respectively . Analysis . Changes in back and core muscular endurance from baseline to 24 weeks were compared between groups using analysis of covariance and linear mixed effects models . Results . After 24 weeks , the exercise group had 12 % greater ( p = .021 ) back muscular endurance and 21 % greater ( p= .0006 ) core muscular endurance than did the control group . The exercise intervention did not disrupt operations or job performance . Conclusion . A supervised worksite exercise program was safe and effective in improving back and core muscular endurance in firefighters , which could protect against future low back pain OBJECTIVES The combination of high physical work dem and s and low physical capacity has been shown to increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal disorders . The aim of this study was to assess the physical capacity of construction workers and evaluate the effect of individually tailored exercise programs on their physical fitness and muscular capacity . METHOD The study was a r and omized controlled trial of male constructions workers allocated to either an exercise or control group . The intervention lasted 12 weeks , and the exercise group trained 3 x 20 minutes a week . The participants completed health checks before and after the intervention period . Data from the first health check were used to tailor the exercise in the interventions . RESULTS At baseline , participants had maximal oxygen consumption ( VO(2max ) ) of 2.9 [ st and ard deviation ( SD ) 0.7 ] l/min and body mass index ( BMI ) of 28.3 ( SD 4.7 ) . Compared to representative data on employees in Denmark ( N=78 ) , this study population ( N=67 ) had significantly lower relative aerobic capacity [ difference in z-score -1.13 , st and ard error ( SE ) 0.1 , P<0.001 ] and higher BMI [ difference in z-score 1.10 , SE 0.2 , P<0.001 ] at baseline . With respect to the intervention , group x time analyses showed a significant difference in estimated change in VO(2max)of 0.4 l/min for the exercise group and 0.0 l/min for the control group ( P<0.001 ) . Body mass and other general health measures remained unchanged . CONCLUSION Training for 20 minutes , 3 times a week significantly increased VO(2max)with a clinical ly relevant magnitude regarding risk of cardiometabolic disorders . This study demonstrates a good effectiveness for integrating short exercise bouts into organizational routines among constructions workers BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Assessment of the quality of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) is common practice in systematic review s. However , the reliability of data obtained with most quality assessment scales has not been established . This report describes 2 studies design ed to investigate the reliability of data obtained with the Physiotherapy Evidence Data base ( PEDro ) scale developed to rate the quality of RCTs evaluating physical therapist interventions . METHOD In the first study , 11 raters independently rated 25 RCTs r and omly selected from the PEDro data base . In the second study , 2 raters rated 120 RCTs r and omly selected from the PEDro data base , and disagreements were resolved by a third rater ; this generated a set of individual rater and consensus ratings . The process was repeated by independent raters to create a second set of individual and consensus ratings . Reliability of ratings of PEDro scale items was calculated using multirater kappas , and reliability of the total ( summed ) score was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients ( ICC [ 1,1 ] ) . RESULTS The kappa value for each of the 11 items ranged from.36 to.80 for individual assessors and from.50 to.79 for consensus ratings generated by groups of 2 or 3 raters . The ICC for the total score was.56 ( 95 % confidence interval=.47-.65 ) for ratings by individuals , and the ICC for consensus ratings was.68 ( 95 % confidence interval=.57-.76 ) . DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The reliability of ratings of PEDro scale items varied from " fair " to " substantial , " and the reliability of the total PEDro score was " fair " to " good . Objective : The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a workplace leg-strengthening program on self-reported function , physical capacity , and work-related outcomes among desk-based workers . Methods : Forty-three desk-based workers were r and omized to a 12-week exercise program or no exercise control . The primary outcome was change in self-reported physical function on the Lower Extremity Functional Scale ( LEFS ) from baseline to follow-up . Secondary outcomes were physical capacity ( mobility , strength ) , self-reported outcomes ( pain , depressive symptoms ) , and work-related outcomes ( resilience , work ability ) . Results : The exercise group showed greater improvements in LEFS and mobility . No significant between-group differences existed in knee strength or remaining self-reported and work-related outcomes . Conclusion : Workplace implemented leg-strengthening exercises are effective at improving self-reported and physical health outcomes of desk-based workers . Moving forward , occupational exercise interventions may be essential to enhance worker longevity among the aging , sedentary workforce Purpose The present study examined changes in body composition , maximum oxygen uptake , and physical activity in sedentary office employees prescribed with two different walking programs during a 10-week intervention . Methods 68 sedentary employees were r and omly assigned to one of three groups : multiple bouts of walking ( n = 24 ( 5 male , 19 female ) Age = 46±9 , BMI = 30.5±5.78 kg/m2 ) , continuous walking ( n = 22 ( 6 male , 16 female ) Age = 48±9 , BMI = 30.6±6.2 kg/m2 ) and the control group ( n = 22 ( 5 male , 17 female ) Age = 42±10 , BMI = 27.5±5.23 kg/m2 ) . Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry ( iDXA ) assessed body composition and a Bruce protocol treadmill test assessed aerobic fitness at baseline and week 11 . At baseline , week 6 and week 11 a waist worn accelerometer  measured physical activity and sedentary behavior . Physical activity was measured throughout the program with a wrist worn accelerometer . Results The results from the mixed- design ANOVA show that fat mass ( p < .000 ) and fat percentage ( p < .000 ) decreased for all three groups as a main effect of time . Sedentary behavior did not change ( p>0.05 ) for all three groups . Moderate intensity physical activity increased significantly from pre-test to week 6 ( p<0.05 ) , then decreased from week 6 to post-test ( p<0.05 ) , with no significant changes observed from pre-test to post-test ( p>0.05 ) for all groups . No changes in VO2 were observed ( p>0.05 ) for all groups . Conclusions Continuous or intermittent walking activity produce similar benefits on body weight , fat mass and body fat percentage in sedentary employees .  Meanwhile , intermittent walking allowed these sedentary employees to increase lean mass and fat free mass . Intermittent walking could provide at least similar benefits on body composition compared to a continuous walking program This r and omized controlled study investigated the effectiveness of soccer and Zumba on fitness and health indicators in female participants recruited from a workplace . One hundred seven hospital employees were cluster-r and omized to either a soccer group ( SG ) , Zumba group ( ZG ) , or control group ( CG ) . Intervention effects for the two training groups were compared with CG . The training was conducted outside working hours as 2 - 3 1-h sessions per week for 12 weeks . Peak oxygen uptake ( VO2peak ) , fat percentage , fat mass , bone mineral content , and plasma osteocalcin were measured before and after the intervention period . Based on intention-to-treat-analyses , SG significantly improved the VO2peak relative to body mass ( 5 % ; P = 0.02 ) and decreased heart rate during 100-W cycle exercise ( -7 bpm ; P = 0.01 ) , total body fat percentage ( -1.1 % ; P = 0.002 ) , and total body fat mass ( -1.0 kg ; P = 0.001 ) compared with CG . ZG significantly improved the VO2peak relative to body mass ( 5 % ; P = 0.03 ) and decreased total fat mass ( -0.6 kg ; P < 0.05 ) compared with CG . Plasma osteocalcin increased in SG ( 21 % ; P < 0.001 ) and ZG ( 10 % ; P = 0.01 ) compared with CG . The present study indicates that workplace initiated short-term soccer training as well as Zumba outside working hours may result in fitness and modest health benefits among female hospital employees
target: PET effects on physical fitness in  healthy workers  are moderated by age ( CRF ) and occupation type ( muscular endurance ) .
  Further , independently computed subgroup analyses indicated that the training period of the PET programs may play an important role in improving CRF in workers
background: There is evidence that physical exercise training ( PET ) conducted at the workplace is effective in improving physical fitness and thus health .
  However , there is no current systematic review available that provides high-level evidence regarding the effects of PET on physical fitness in the workforce .
  To quantify sex- , age- , and occupation type-specific effects of PET on physical fitness and to characterize dose – response relationships of PET modalities that could maximize gains in physical fitness in the working population .