ArticleArchives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique2026
Reducing sedentary behavior through workplace counseling: effects on activity, sitting breaks, and well-being - a randomized controlled trial.
Article in Archives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundThe increase in hybrid-work or work-from-home demands setting-specific strategies to improve health-promoting behaviors. This study compared the effects of a behavioral intervention based on individualized workplace counseling to an educational approach based on a standardized factsheet.
methodsUniversity employees (n = 121) were randomly allocated to three groups receiving: (1) a factsheet visualizing the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior, (2) 20 min of individualized counseling tailored to individual barriers, opportunities, and personal strengths, or (3) no advice (control group). Physical activity (minutes per week) and sedentary behavior (minutes per day) during leisure- and occupational time were assessed before and 4 weeks after interventions using the Nordic Physical Activity Questionnaire. Further outcomes were well-being (WHO-5 questionnaire), pain intensity, and pain interference with work (both with the Short Form 36 Health Survey). Descriptive data are indicated as mean and standard deviation, and the effects of the interventions were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA).
resultsThe participants (age 43.6, 12.2 years, body mass index 24.3, 3.9 kg/m²) showed high levels of leisure-time physical activity (294.30, 215.37 min) and moderate levels of sedentary behavior (504.33, 158.82 min) at baseline. Overall, physical activity levels (32.37, 112.51 min) and especially vigorous intensity levels (3.88, 19.64 min) at work were low. A large share of daily sedentary time was accumulated during work (414.05, 105.19 min). The individualized counseling group decreased workplace sedentary time (-30.73, 81.74 min), compared to the factsheet (0.00, 54.35 min) and control groups (+ 6.00, 72.92 min), and increased workplace vigorous intensity activity (+ 10.24, 43.10 min), compared to the factsheet (+ 0.50, 3.16 min) and control group (-6.75, 28.77 min) (p<.05). No intervention showed any effect on leisure activity levels, well-being or perceived bodily pain (p>.05).
conclusionAn individualized approach to setting-specific physical activity counseling improves health-promoting behaviors in physically active persons with sedentary occupations.
trial registrationRegistered at the German Clinical Trial Register: drks.de (registration number: DRKS00031671; 04 Feb 2025). Retrospectively registered.
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