The Effect of Worksite Physical Activity Intervention on Physical Capacity, Health, and Productivity: A 1-Year Randomized Controlled Trial

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 randomized 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 (similar to 6 mm Hg), body fat percentage (similar to 2.2 body fat%), as well as shoulder and back pain (similar to 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 resulted in clinically relevant reductions of cardiovascular and metabolic syndrome related risk factors as well as musculoskeletal pain symptoms, in combination with minor increases in physical capacity. (J Occup Environ Med. 2009;51:759-770)