Biomedical subjects

Karin I Proper

Publications and source records attributed to Karin I Proper.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Promoting physical activity with people in different places--a Dutch perspective.

This paper describes five recent Dutch studies of the effectiveness of physical activity interventions carried out in diverse settings: general practice (GP), aged care facilities, and workplaces. The stage-based physical activity counselling carried out in the GP setting demonstrated a beneficial effect on the determinants of physical activity, but did not show any additional effect on physical activity behaviour, compared with standard physical activity advice. In contrast, the stage-based intervention through the workplace was effective in increasing physical activity, due mostly to an increase in vigorous-intensity activities. In the aged care setting, functional-skills training alone or in combination with resistance training showed functional improvement only in participants with high participation rates. Functional-skills training appeared to be more feasible than resistance training in this population of frail elderly. The two studies which aimed to promote earlier return-to-work among workers with sick leave due to non-specific low back pain also showed promising results. As a result, it was recommended that occupational physicians (OP) should refer workers with low back pain in the subacute phase of their sick leave to a low intensity intervention consisting of short meetings and exercises aimed at changing behaviour, and that the OPs contact other health care providers (GPs and physiotherapists) about the treatment strategy. Together, the results of these five Dutch studies suggest that it is feasible to successfully promote physical activity to groups of people in diverse places, with benefits in terms of both prevention and management of chronic disease and injury.

Family Practice↗

PubMed2006

Physical activity among Dutch workers--differences between occupations.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the total physical activity and the contribution of work to total physical activity among Dutch workers. The study was conducted in the Netherlands in the years 2000-2002. METHODS: 2,417 respondents of a cross-sectional survey representing the Dutch adult working population were included. Physical activity was measured by the proportion meeting the current public health physical activity recommendations and by total physical activity (in minutes per week). Seven occupational groups and 28 sectors were distinguished. Unadjusted analyses were carried out using chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: On average, 53.7% was sufficiently active according to the recommended levels. Work contributed for 30% to total physical activity. There were significant differences between the occupations and sectors in total physical activity levels as well as in the amount of work-related physical activity. Those in policy and higher executive functions were least active at work with work contributing for 19.5% to total physical activity, whereas those working in agricultural occupations were most active at work with work contributing for 55.1% to total physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Work is still an important source of total physical activity among workers. Based on the differences observed, branch-specific strategies to enhance work-related physical activity are recommended.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Costs, benefits and effectiveness of worksite physical activity counseling from the employer's perspective.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the impact of worksite physical activity counseling using cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses. METHODS: Civil servants (N = 299) were randomly assigned to an intervention (N = 131) or control (N = 168) group for 9 months. The intervention costs were compared with the monetary benefits gained from reduced sick leave. In addition, the intervention costs minus the monetary benefits from sick leave reduction were compared with the effects (percentage meeting the public health recommendation for moderate-intensity physical activity, energy expenditure, cardiorespiratory fitness, and upper extremity symptoms). RESULTS: The intervention costs were EUR 430 per participant, and the benefits were EUR 125 due to sick leave during the intervention period, for net total costs of EUR 305 for the intervention. During the same 9-month period the year after the intervention, the benefits from sick leave reduction were EUR 635. No statistically significant differences in costs and benefits were found between the groups. As to the cost-effectiveness, improvement in energy expenditure and cardiorespiratory fitness was observed at higher costs. The point estimates of the cost-effectiveness ratios were EUR 5.2 (without imputation of effect data) and EUR 2.7 (with imputation of effect data) per extra kilocalorie of energy expenditure per day and EUR 235 (without imputation of effect data) and EUR 45.9 (with imputation of effect data) per beat per minute of decrease in submaximal heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not provide a financial reason for implementing worksite counseling intervention on physical activity on the short-term. However, positive effects were shown for energy expenditure and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Effect of individual counseling on physical activity fitness and health: a randomized controlled trial in a workplace setting.

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity and obesity are major public health problems. Our objective was to investigate the effectiveness of an individual counseling intervention at the workplace on physical activity fitness and health. Counseling content derived from the Patient-centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise and Nutrition (PACE) program. METHODS: A total of 299 employees of three municipal services in the Dutch town of Enschede were randomly allocated into intervention (n =131) and control group (n =168). Over a 9-month period, intervention group subjects were offered seven counseling sessions. Counseling was based on the individual's stage of behavioral change using PACE physical activity and nutrition protocols. Subjects in both the intervention and control group received written information about several lifestyle factors. Primary outcome measures were physical activity (total energy expenditure, during sports activities, during physical activity leisure time other than sports, and meeting the moderate-intensity public health recommendations); cardiorespiratory fitness; and prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Secondary outcome measures were body composition (body mass index [BMI], and percentage of body fat measured via skinfold thicknesses); blood pressure; and blood cholesterol. RESULTS: There were significant positive effects on total energy expenditure, physical activity during sports, cardiorespiratory fitness, percentage of body fat, and blood cholesterol. No effects were found for the proportion of subjects meeting the public health recommendation of moderate-intensity physical activity, physical activity during leisure time other than sports, prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, body mass index, and blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Individual face-to-face counseling at the workplace based on PACE protocols positively influenced physical activity levels and some components of physical fitness. The implementation of workplace counseling programs for individuals should therefore be promoted.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

The effectiveness of worksite physical activity programs on physical activity, physical fitness, and health.

OBJECTIVE: To critically review the literature with respect to the effectiveness of worksite physical activity programs on physical activity, physical fitness, and health. DATA SOURCES: A search for relevant English-written papers published between 1980 and 2000 was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Sportdiscus, CINAHL, and Psychlit. The key words used involved a combination of concepts regarding type of study, study population, intervention, and outcome measure. In addition, a search was performed in our personal databases, as well as a reference search of the studies retrieved. STUDY SELECTION: The following criteria for inclusion were used: 1) randomized, controlled trial or nonrandomized, controlled trial; 2) working population; 3) worksite intervention program to promote employees' physical activity or physical fitness; and 4) physical activity, physical fitness, or health-related outcomes. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently evaluated the quality of relevant studies using a predefined set of nine methodological criteria. Conclusions regarding the effectiveness of a worksite physical activity programs were based on a rating system consisting of five levels of evidence. DATA SYNTHESIS: Fifteen randomized, controlled trials and 11 nonrandomized, controlled trials met the criteria for inclusion and were reviewed. Six randomized, controlled trials and none of the nonrandomized, controlled trials were of high methodological quality. Strong evidence was found for a positive effect of a worksite physical activity program on physical activity and musculoskeletal disorders. Limited evidence was found for a positive effect on fatigue. For physical fitness, general health, blood serum lipids, and blood pressure, inconclusive or no evidence was found for a positive effect. CONCLUSIONS: To increase the level of physical activity and to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, we support implementation of worksite physical activity programs. For the other outcome measures, scientific evidence of the effectiveness of such a program is still limited or inconclusive, which is mainly the result of the small number of high-quality trials. Therefore, we recommend performing more randomized, controlled trials of high methodological quality, taking into account criteria such as randomization, blinding, and compliance.

Health Promotion↗

PubMed2002

Effectiveness of physical activity programs at worksites with respect to work-related outcomes.

This paper systematically reviews the literature on the effectiveness of physical activity programs at worksites with respect to work-related outcomes. A computerized literature search, a reference search, and a manual search of personal databases were performed using the following inclusion criteria: randomized controlled or controlled trial, working population. worksite intervention program to promote physical activity or physical fitness, and work-related outcomes. The study quality was evaluated using nine methodological criteria. Conclusions were based on a 5-level rating system of evidence. Eight studies (4 randomized controlled trials and 4 controlled trials) were identified, but their methodological quality was generally poor. The outcomes were absenteeism, job satisfaction, job stress, productivity, and employee turnover. The evidence of an effect was limited for absenteeism, inconclusive for job satisfaction, job stress and employee turnover, and nil for productivity. The scientific evidence on the effectiveness of physical activity programs at worksites is still limited. Because of the few high-quality randomized controlled trials, it is strongly suggested that this type of study be carried out. Future randomized controlled trials should pay special attention to the description of randomization, inclusion criteria, compliance, and analyses according to intention to treat.

Absenteeism↗