ACTIVE BREAKS TO INTERRUPT SEDENTARY BEHAVIOUR AMONG OFFICE WORKERS: A PROTOCOL STUDY

Introducción. Sedentary behaviour (SB) is associated with increased risk of metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, all-cause mortality, and accelerated decline in musculoskeletal power. Office workers (OW) are particularly vulnerable, spending up to 82% of their working hours in SB. Active breaks (ABs), defined as brief bouts of physical activity integrated into the workday, could represent a promising strategy to mitigate SB and its related health risks. Objetivos. This protocol study describes the design of a technology-based ABs intervention to interrupt SB during working hours. Metodología. A non-randomized controlled study will involve sedentary OW who will selfselect. into intervention (IG) or control (CG) groups. Assessments at baseline (T0) and four months (T1) will include accelerometers (ActiGraph WGT3X) and validated questionnaires: Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, Job-related Affective Well-being Scale, Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, Stress Indicator Tool, and International Work Addiction Scale. Additional Likert-scale items will measure satisfaction with the work environment. The IG will follow a four-month ABs program beginning with a 30-minute counseling session with a kinesiologist and continuing with three short daily videos (≤5 min) promoting ABs. Adherence, compliance and engagement will be monitored (only in the IG) through short daily surveys during two weeks at the start and end of the ABs intervention, a diary for the whole ABs period, and a final ad-hoc satisfaction questionnaire. Resultados. Results will be evaluated through pre-post and between-group analyses. Discusión y conclusiones. This protocol study outlines the implementation of ABs in the workplace. Findings will enhance understanding of their effects on SB and workplace wellbeing.