title: Workplace building design and office-based workers' activity: a study of a natural experiment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This opportunistic natural study investigated the effects of relocation of office workers from a 30-year-old building to a new purpose-built building. The new building included an attractive central staircase that was easily accessed and negotiated, as well as breakout spaces and a centralised facilities area. The researchers aimed to determine the impact of the purpose-built office building on the office workers' sedentariness and level of physical activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2013, a natural pre-post study was undertaken with office-based workers in their old conventional 1970s building and on relocating to a new purpose-built 'activity permissive' building. Objective movement data was measured using accelerometers. Anthropometric and demographic data was also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-two office-based workers significantly decreased their percentage of daily sitting time (T1 = 84.9% to T2=79.7%; p<0.001) and increased their percentage of daily standing time (T1=11.2% to T2 17.0%; p<0.001) in the new building. Moderate activity significantly declined (T1=3.9% to 3.2%=T2; p=0.038). There was a significant decrease in mean minutes of sitting time (19.62 minutes; p<0.001) and increase in standing time (22.03 minutes; p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The design of a building can influence activity. This opportunistic study on the impact of workplace relocation on office-based workers' activity showed modest positive outcomes in sitting and standing. Evidence is required to inform building design policy and practice that supports physical activity and reduces levels of sedentariness in the workplace.
authors.affiliation: Collaboration for Evidence, Research, and Impact in Public Health, Curtin University, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Jonine M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jancey
authors.affiliation: University of Notre Dame, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McGann
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sport and Recreation Research, Curtin University, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Creagh
authors.affiliation: Collaboration for Evidence, Research, and Impact in Public Health, Curtin University, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Krysten D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Blackford
authors.affiliation: Collaboration for Evidence, Research, and Impact in Public Health, Curtin University, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Howat
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sport and Recreation Research, Curtin University, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D016272:Occupational Health; D011187:Posture; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D017132:Workplace
keywords: physical activity; sedentary; workplace