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 (∼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 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.