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

Purpose: Sedentary behaviour (SB) is associated with increased risk of metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, all-cause mortality, and accelerated decline in musculoskeletal power. Office workers 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. This protocol study describes the design of an ABs intervention to be implemented during working hours, with the aim of reducing SB. Methods: A non-randomized controlled study will be conducted among sedentary office workers, who will self-select into an intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG). Both groups will be assessed at baseline (T0) and after four months (T1) using accelerometers (ActiGraph WGT3X) and the following validated questionnaires: Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, Job-related affective well-being scale, Copenaghen Burnout Inventory, Stress Indicator Tool, International Work Addicted Scale. Additional ad-hoc Likert-scale items will explore satisfaction regarding the work environment. The IG will take part in a four-month ABs intervention, starting with a 30-minute counseling session with a kinesiologist and continuing with three short daily videos (≤5 minutes each) promoting ABs during working hours. To monitor adherence, compliance and engagement, IG participants will complete brief daily surveys during two weeks at the beginning and two weeks at the end of the intervention, and an adherence diary for the full four-month ABs intervention. A final ad-hoc ABs programme satisfaction questionnaire will also be administered to the IG. Results: Results will be available at the end of the intervention. Pre-post and betweengroup analyses will be performed to evaluate the effects of ABs on SB and on workers’ physical and psychological well-being. Conclusions: This protocol study outlines a research project aimed at implementing ABs in the workplace. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of the effects of ABs on SB and workplace well-being.