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Positive Effects of an Online Workplace Exercise Intervention during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Quality of Life Perception in Computer Workers: A Quasi-Experimental Study Design

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Moreira

    (ICBAS, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
    ESS IPVC, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-314 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
    CBSin—Center of BioSciences in Integrative Health, 4000-105 Porto, Portugal)

  • Maria Begoña Criado

    (CBSin—Center of BioSciences in Integrative Health, 4000-105 Porto, Portugal
    TOXRUN—Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal)

  • Maria Salomé Ferreira

    (ESS IPVC, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-314 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
    UICISA: E—Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing, Nursing School of Coimbra (ESEnfC), Portugal School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, 4900-314 Viana do Castelo, Portugal)

  • Jorge Machado

    (ICBAS, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
    CBSin—Center of BioSciences in Integrative Health, 4000-105 Porto, Portugal
    LABIOMEP—Laboratório de Biomecânica do Porto, Universidade do Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal)

  • Carla Gonçalves

    (ESDL IPVC, Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
    Research Center in Sports Performance, Recreation, Innovation and Technology (SPRINT), 4960-320 Melgaço, Portugal)

  • Filipe Manuel Clemente

    (ESDL IPVC, Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
    Research Center in Sports Performance, Recreation, Innovation and Technology (SPRINT), 4960-320 Melgaço, Portugal
    Delegação da Covilhã, Instituto de Telecomunicações, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Cristina Mesquita

    (ESS PPorto—Departamento de Fisioterapia, Escola Superior de Saúde, Politécnico do Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
    CIR—Centro de Investigação e Reabilitação, ESS P, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

  • Sofia Lopes

    (ESS PPorto—Departamento de Fisioterapia, Escola Superior de Saúde, Politécnico do Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
    CIR—Centro de Investigação e Reabilitação, ESS P, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
    CESPU—Departamento de Tecnologias de Diagnóstico e Terapêutica, Escola Superior de Saúde do Vale do Sousa, Instituto Politécnico de Saúde do Norte (IPSN), 4585-116 Paredes, Portugal)

  • Paula Clara Santos

    (ESS PPorto—Departamento de Fisioterapia, Escola Superior de Saúde, Politécnico do Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
    CIR—Centro de Investigação e Reabilitação, ESS P, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
    CIAFEL—Centro de Investigação em Atividade Física, Saúde e Lazer, Faculdade de Desporto, Universidade do Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Computer workers’ sedentary work, together with less active lifestyles, aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, represents a high risk for many chronic diseases, leading to a decrease in health-related quality of life (QoL). Workplace exercises consist of a set of physical exercises, implemented during work breaks, that have multiple benefits for workers’ health. Aim: To assess the impact of online workplace exercises on computer workers’ perception of quality of life. Methods: Quasi-experimental study with two groups: a control group (n = 26) and an intervention group (n = 13). The inclusion criteria were that participants must be aged between 18 and 65 years old and the exclusion criteria included diagnosis of non-work-related medical conditions. The interventions consisted of workplace exercises, which were applied for 17 consecutive weeks, each session lasting 15 min, three times a week. The exercise programme, performed online and guided by a physiotherapist, consisted of mobility exercises, flexibility and strength exercises, with the help of a TheraBand ® for elastic resistance. The control group were not subjected to any intervention. A socio-demographic questionnaire and the Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36v2) were used in two assessment stages (M0—baseline and M1—final of intervention). A mixed ANOVA with interaction time*group was used to evaluate the effect of the exercise programme. Results: A good perception of the QoL was obtained in both stages. The exercise programme had a positive effect in the domains of Pain (p time*group = 0.012, η 2 p = 0.158), Physical Function (p time*group = 0.078, η 2 p = 0.082), Physical Performance (p time*group = 0.052, η 2 p = 0.098), and Emotional Performance (p time*group = 0.128, η 2 p = 0.061). Conclusion: After 17 weeks of workplace exercises, it became clear that the intervention group positively increased their QoL perception, with this improvement being significant in the Pain domain, which resulted in an improvement in their health condition. Therefore, further studies are needed to determine the optimal exercise for CWs, with detailed exercise types, different intensities and focused on various health conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Moreira & Maria Begoña Criado & Maria Salomé Ferreira & Jorge Machado & Carla Gonçalves & Filipe Manuel Clemente & Cristina Mesquita & Sofia Lopes & Paula Clara Santos, 2022. "Positive Effects of an Online Workplace Exercise Intervention during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Quality of Life Perception in Computer Workers: A Quasi-Experimental Study Design," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:3142-:d:765981
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richelle Baker & Pieter Coenen & Erin Howie & Ann Williamson & Leon Straker, 2018. "The Short Term Musculoskeletal and Cognitive Effects of Prolonged Sitting During Office Computer Work," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Michelle D. Smith & Chun Shing Johnson Kwan & Sally Zhang & Jason Wheeler & Tennille Sewell & Venerina Johnston, 2019. "The Influence of Using a Footstool during a Prolonged Standing Task on Low Back Pain in Office Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-8, April.
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    1. Melanie Crane & Alec Cobbold & Matthew Beck & Tracy Nau & Christopher Standen & Chris Rissel & Ben J. Smith & Stephen Greaves & William Bellew & Adrian Bauman, 2022. "Interventions Designed to Support Physical Activity and Disease Prevention for Working from Home: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-12, December.

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