The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the way we work, with a significant shift towards remote employment. However, this transition has had an adverse impact on the physical activity levels of office and desk workers. Researchers at the University of Tsukuba conducted a pilot study to address this issue, testing a multicomponent program to promote physical activity among remote workers in Japan. The findings offer valuable insights for developing effective strategies to support the well-being of remote employees. Physical activity and remote work are key topics explored in this blog post.
A Shifting Landscape
Over the past year remote and hybrid work arrangements have seen immense spike since COVID-19 has entered our lives. This transition has been advantageous in a number of ways providing flexibility and cut-offs on daily commutes, although it also contributed to one health lacking among office and desk workers — physical activity.
It may be tempting to think that working from home is a good way to keep physically active during these times; but research has shown that remote workers are usually more inactive and sedentary compared to their office-working peers. Extended periods of sedentary behaviour are associated with an increased risk factor in a number of health related issues. Segment is recorded as having obesity, cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders (2). Considering the relevance of addressing these issues, the purpose of this pilot study done by researchers in University of Tsukuba was to investigate the promising practices to promoting physical activity among remote worker populations within Japan.
Multicomponent Approach Testing
A randomized controlled trial was set up by the researchers, in which 52 remote workers were equally split into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group participated in an 8-week multicomponent physical activity promotion program, which has the following elements:
- Personalised physical activity goals/action plans
- Weekly virtual coaching for support and accountability
- Wearable activity trackers to track progression
A mobile app, which features educational materials and social activity challenges
The control group on the other hand was provided with minimal intervention in form of informational posters. The investigators then cross-referenced this data to compare physical activity between the two groups.
Notably, the results did not reveal a sizable intervention versus control group difference in moderate–vigorous physical use through 8 weeks. Despite these changes, the researchers noted significant increases in steps taken, sedentary time and light physical activity across multiple domains among those in the intervention group. A noticeable increase of steps taken per working day was seen, even with the control group who were only given posters.
Insights and Implications
The results of this pilot study implicate that a multicomponent physical activity promotion program may offer a feasible and efficacious method to assist remote workers in Japan. It is a concern that the intervention did not result in an increase MVA, however, the changes in walking and non-exercise PA reported within this article suggest that the home-based exercise program may be a feasible way to increase PA levels in older sedentary adults.
In addition, the results underscore the need to take a broad-based and individualized approach towards encouraging physical activity among people who work from home. Participants seem to appreciate the mix of tailored goal setting, virtual coaching, activity tracking and learning resources as this combination resulted in substantial improvements in their total duration of physical activities.
The researchers conclude that their study results may be used to formulate action plans/strategies to promote physical activity in the workplace of remote workers not only globally but also in Japan. Employers and policymakers can do a lot to domesticate this mammoth yet growing workforce by catering for the specific requirements and restrictions that are faced by remote employees.
