title: Self-paced exercise program for office workers: impact on productivity and health outcomes.
abstract: The impact of a self-paced exercise program on productivity and health outcomes of 32 adult workers in a large federal office complex was investigated during 3 months. Walking was the sole form of exercise. The first month, during which no walking occurred, was the control period. The second and third months were the experimental period. Participants were divided into three levels based on initial weight and self-determined walking distance goals. Productivity (using the Endicott Work Productivity Scale), walking distance (using a pedometer), and health outcomes (blood pressure, weight, pulse rate, and body fat percentage) were measured weekly. Results from this study, based on a paired t test analysis, suggest that although the self-paced exercise program had no impact on productivity, it lowered blood pressure and promoted weight loss. Further study using a larger sample and a controlled experimental design is recommended to provide conclusive evidence.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Clinic, Whole Health Management, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Low
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gramlich
authors.forename: Barbara Wright
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Engram
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001823:Body Composition; D004219:District of Columbia; D004526:Efficiency; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D035082:Federal Government; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009785:Occupational Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011674:Pulse; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D015431:Weight Loss