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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Open Access 01-02-2018 | Original Article

Effects of 12 months aerobic exercise intervention on work ability, need for recovery, productivity and rating of exertion among cleaners: a worksite RCT

Authors: Mark Lidegaard, Karen Søgaard, Peter Krustrup, Andreas Holtermann, Mette Korshøj

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 2/2018

Abstract

Purpose

This study assessed the effects of a worksite aerobic exercise intervention among cleaners on: work ability, need for recovery, productivity, and rating of exertion.

Methods

In a monocentric randomised controlled trial in Denmark, 116, of 250 invited, cleaners were cluster-randomised (work location; sex; age; length of service) to aerobic exercise [N = 57, 44.9 years, 75.4% female, body mass index (BMI) 26.2], receiving 2 weekly aerobic exercise sessions during 12 months, or a reference group (N = 59, 45.7 years, 76.3% female, BMI 27.1), receiving health-promoting lectures. Self-reported data on outcomes and sociodemographic information were collected at baseline, and at 4 and 12 month follow-up. All outcomes were analysed in a linear repeated-measures 2 × 2 mixed-model by an intention-to-treat analysis approach.

Results

Drop-out was 26 and 33% at 4 and 12 months, respectively. Aerobic exercise adherence was 51% during the first 4 months. At 4 month follow-up no effects were found. At 12 month follow-up, work ability significantly increased by 0.59 on a 0–10 scale (95% CI 0.05–1.13) and need for recovery significantly decreased by − 11.0 on a 0–100 scale (95% CI − 19.8 to − 2.2) in the aerobic exercise group compared to the reference group. Productivity and rating of exertion were unaltered. Analysis stratified on age showed significant effects only among the participants aged ≤ 45 years.

Conclusions

After 12 months work ability improved and need for recovery decreased. A period of 4 months was insufficient to affect these outcomes emphasising that longer interventions may be needed to induce effects on work ability and need for recovery.

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Title: Effects of 12 months aerobic exercise intervention on work ability, need for recovery, productivity and rating of exertion among cleaners: a worksite RCT
Authors: Mark Lidegaard
Karen Søgaard
Peter Krustrup
Andreas Holtermann
Mette Korshøj
Publication date: 01-02-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 2/2018
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-017-1274-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Effects of 12 months aerobic exercise intervention on work ability, need for recovery, productivity and rating of exertion among cleaners: a worksite RCT

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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