Change in Physical Activity Levels in Women at Working Place

Impact of Different Interventions in Physical Activity Level and Co-morbidities in Women: Randomized, Controlled Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of different types of intervention on physical activity level and co-morbidities in women workers aged between 40 and 50 years. Method: A total of 195 sedentary women aged between 40 and 50 years and those who agreed to participate were randomized to one of the following interventions: GI = Control (n = 47), GII = Individual counseling (n = 53), GIII = Counseling group (n = 48); GIV = physical training set (n = 47). Were evaluated: Physical Activity level (steps number evaluated by a pedometer), quality of life (SF-36), body composition (BMI, waist circumference and bioelectrical impedance) and clinical variables (plasma glucose and blood pressure).

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Obesity; Physical Activity
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: individual counseling; Behavioral: group counseling; Behavioral: aerobic training

Detailed Description

Protocols and Randomization of subjects: Subjects were randomized into 4 groups: control group (GI), individual counseling (GII), group counseling (GIII) and aerobic training set (GIV). The protocols of interventions are described in detail below:

GI - Control: Comprising session of 15-20 minutes duration. It took place guidelines on physical activity, delivering a manual with general information about physical activity.

GII - Individual counseling: Consisting of three sessions within a maximum period of 3 months. We conducted a counseling, aimed at increasing physical activity, aiming to raise at least 2000 steps over the first week of monitoring. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of physical activity, such as overcoming barriers to physical activity and targets agreed between the parties. The pedometer is given along with a diary to record the number of steps and returned in the last session.

GIII - Group Counseling: The counseling was conducted in groups (10-12 individuals) for 6 sessions at weekly intervals, and two sessions with fortnightly. Each session lasts 60 minutes. The advice is aimed at behavioral changes using the following approaches: advantages and disadvantages of behavior change, how to overcome barriers to physical activity, self-monitoring of physical activity by using the pedometer and setting goals (number of steps / day) in the short term and what to do in case of relapse (not accomplish what was represented) besides livings practices. As the GII and the goal is to raise steps daily, with the main focus physical activity in leisure time and transport.

GIV - Programmed Aerobic Training: The fitness program is held two times per week with individuals and groups with three sessions lasts for 40 minutes performed on a treadmill.

All interventions lasted between 12 and 15 weeks and were carried out on time or before the commencement of work or during lunch or after work hours.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 195
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Brazil
  • São Paulo, Brazil, 05403-000
    • Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP - HCFMUSP

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 40 years to 50 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Apparently healthy (no serious chronic disease), sedentary (less than 60 minutes of aerobic physical activity per week scheduled), employees of HC / FMUSP aged between 40 and 50 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Perform some type of pharmacotherapy for weight reduction, have a BMI > 45 kg/m2 and have functional limitations that would prohibit the execution of hiking.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

4

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: control; session of 15-20 minutes duration. It took place guidelines on physical activity, delivering a manual with general information about physical activity
Experimental: Individual counseling; Consisting of three sessions within a maximum period of 3 months. We conducted a counseling, aimed at increasing physical activity, aiming to raise steps. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of physical activity, such as overcoming barriers to physical activity and targets agreed between the parties. The pedometer is given along with a diary to record the number of steps and returned in the last session.	Behavioral: individual counseling; Consisting of three sessions within a maximum period of 3 months. We conducted a counseling, aimed at increasing physical activity, aiming to raise at least 2000 steps over the first week of monitoring. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of physical activity, such as overcoming barriers to physical activity and targets agreed between the parties. The pedometer is given along with a diary to record the number of steps and returned in the last session.
Experimental: group counseling; The counseling was conducted in groups (10-12 individuals) for 6 sessions at weekly intervals, and two sessions with fortnightly. Each session lasts 60 minutes. The advice is aimed at behavioral changes using the following approaches: advantages and disadvantages of behavior change, how to overcome barriers to physical activity, self-monitoring of physical activity by using the pedometer and setting goals (number of steps / day) in the short term and what to do in case of relapse (not accomplish what was represented) besides livings practices.	Behavioral: group counseling; The counseling was conducted in groups (10-12 individuals) for 6 sessions at weekly intervals, and two sessions with fortnightly. Each session lasts 60 minutes. The advice is aimed at behavioral changes using the following approaches: advantages and disadvantages of behavior change, how to overcome barriers to physical activity, self-monitoring of physical activity by using the pedometer and setting goals (number of steps / day) in the short term and what to do in case of relapse (not accomplish what was represented) besides livings practices. As the GII and the goal is to raise at least 2000 steps daily on average, with the main focus physical activity in leisure time and transport
Experimental: aerobic training; The fitness program is held two times per week with individuals and groups with three sessions lasts for 40 minutes performed on a treadmill	Behavioral: aerobic training; The fitness program is held two times per week with individuals and groups with three sessions lasts for 40 minutes performed on a treadmill.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Change after 3 and 6 months from Baseline in weekly steps number mean measured by a pedometer	Change after 3 and 6 months of the baseline evaluation

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Sao Paulo General Hospital
• Collaborators: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Celso F Carvalho, Phd, Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Fisioterapia Fonoaudiologia e Terapia Ocupacional

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Ribeiro MA, Martins MA, Carvalho CR. Interventions to increase physical activity in middle-age women at the workplace: a randomized controlled trial. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2014;46(5):1008-15. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000190.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: March 1, 2011
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): April 1, 2012
• Study Completion (Anticipated): August 1, 2012

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 13, 2012
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 27, 2012
• First Posted (Estimate): March 30, 2012

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): March 30, 2012
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 27, 2012
• Last Verified: March 1, 2012

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: physical activity; pedometer; workplace
• Other Study ID Numbers: WOMENPED