Abstract
BACKGROUND: Prolonged sitting has been shown to increase mortality and obesity.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether physicians would use a treadmill desk, increase their daily physical activity and lose weight.
PARTICIPANTS: 20 overweight and obese physicians aged 25 to 70 with Body Mass Index > 25.
METHODS: Participants used a treadmill desk, a triaxial accelerometer, and received exercise counseling in a randomized, cross-over trial over 24 weeks. Group 1 received exercise counseling, accelerometer feedback, and a treadmill desk for 12 weeks and then accelerometer only for 12 weeks. Group 2 received an accelerometer without feedback for 12 weeks followed by exercise counseling, accelerometer feedback, and the treadmill desk for 12 weeks.
RESULTS: Daily physical activity increased while using the treadmill desk compared to not using the desk by 197 kcal per day (p=0.003). The difference in weight during the two 12 week periods was 1.85 kg (p=0.03). Percent body fat was 1.9% lower while using the treadmill desk (p=0.02). There were no differences in metabolic or well-being measures.
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that physicians will use a treadmill desk, that it does increase their activity, and that it may help with weight loss. Further studies are warranted.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 47-51 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Work (Reading, Mass.) |
Volume | 48 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2014 |
Keywords
- Physical activity
- obesity
- occupational activity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Rehabilitation
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health