Figure 1
Illustration of literature search process.
Table 1
Workplace Physical Activity Interventions in GCC region.
| REFERENCE (AUTHOR, DATE, COUNTRY, REFERENCE NUMBER) | STUDY DESIGN | AIM | STUDY SIZE (#INVITED, # PARTICIPANTS, RATE, GENDER, AGE) | INTERVENTION (DURATION, DETAILS) | ASSESSMENT TOOL(S)/OUTCOME MEASURE(S) | FINDINGS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomar & Allen 2016 (a) KSA | Randomized Control Trial | Examine PA effect on depression, work ability, physical and physiological parameters post- intervention | n = 52n = 3057.7%M27–57 years | 12-wk30min run 1/wk – Max HR 65%, 75%, 85% wks 1–4, 5–8, 9–12. 8 resist 1/wk – Intensity 1RM 60%, 70%, 80% wks 1–4, 5–8, 9–12, | PHQ-9, WAI, BP, HR, BF%, Lipid prof, FBS, BMI | Sig. decrease: depression (P = 0.035), LDL (P = 0.016), TC(P = 0.027), BF% (P = 0.001), BMI (P = 0.01), HR (P = 0.036). Non-sig. differ: WAI, BP, HDL, VLDL, TG, Fast BS, BP |
| Tomar & Allen 2016 (b) KSA | Randomized Control Trial | Assess PA effect on prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) 6-mth follow-up post-intervention | n = 52n = 3057.7%M27–57 years | 12-wkAerobic 1/wk – 30min run 1/wk and Resist 1/wk – front delt press, chest, pect fly, abs, bi, tri, leg curl/extension | NMQ, PHQ-9, WAI, BP, HR, BF%, Lipid prof, FBS, BMI | Non-sig differ in MSS and most parameters except depression (P = 0.011), FBS (P = 0.021) and LDL (P = 0.050) |
| Loney et al. 2012 UAE | Feasibility Trial | Feasibility to implement PA into work schedule without interfering | n = 24n = 24100%M, F24 – 55 years | 3-wk: daily/weekly PA (contests). Walking challenge. Hydration day, Yoga day, Eat healthy day | Pedometer | Non-sig (P = 0.063) increase: PA level & step count.Pedometer is useful tool to increase PA |
| Alrahma et al. 2021 UAE | Randomized Clinical Trial Protocol | Assess if PA improves cardio-metabolic risk markers and PA level | n = 75NA | 12-wk: 2x1hr PA/wkSupervised sessions during work hours resistance & aerobic | BP, WC, LDL, FBS, BMI, NCDs, HbA1c, IPAQ, Accelerometer | Not applicable |
| Al-Mohannadi et al. 2019 Qatar | Pre-post-intervention cross-sectional surveys (Observational)1 | Assess impact of walking challenge on PA level | n = 800n = 194 (Post-surv)24.3%n = 54 (Pedometer)6.8%M, F35–44 years | 3-mth: national walking challenge Step into Health, | SF-36v2, IPAQ, WSQ, Pedometer | Sig. increase: step count (34%); increase: PA & MET min/wk; higher PA engage post-study, low overall increase, men more active |
| Altwaijri et al. 2019 KSA | Pre-post Longitudinal2 | Employee wellness programme to improve the overall health | n = 53n = 3260.4%M, F21–≥60 years | 6-mth: module/mth Fitness sessions, Holistic Nutrition, Breath & Meditate, Yoga, Vegan Diet, Mental Health | BMI, BF%, MusF%, SCE, Survey: SF-36, HDQ, WCQ | Sig. improvement: Physical function (P = 0.004), Diet (P = 0.01); No sig. differ.in BC, overall health, workplace PA & characteristics |
| AlSaweer et al. 2017 Bahrain | Pre-post | Introduce programme to maintain healthy lifestyle | n = 97n = 97100%M, F46.3 years (Average) | 6-mth: 150min/wk PA, nutrition clinics, weight-loss plan, dental care, vaccination, periodic examination, stress mediation | BMI, BP, Lipid Profile, FBS, HB, HADS, Lifestyle, Med check & Record, PA measure unclear- ‘regularly exercising’. | Decrease: obesity, BP, Fast BS, TC, sick leave, stress (35%); Increase: PA (12%) Improved diet |
[i] SF-36v2: Short Form 36 health survey IPAQ: International Physical Activity Questionnaire WSQ: Workforce Sitting Questionnaire PHQ-9: Patient Health Questionnaire WAI: Work Ability Index HDQ: Healthy Diet Questionnaire WCQ: Workplace Characteristics Questionnaire HADS: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale BMI: Body Mass Index WC: Waist Circumference BF%: Body Fat Percent MusF%: Muscle Fat Percent BP: Blood Pressure HR: Heart Rate FBS: Fasting Blood Sugar HbA1c: Glycated Hemoglobin HB: Hemoglobin LDL: Low-Density Lipoprotein NCDs: Non-Communicable Diseases SCE: Stair Climb Exercise NMQ: Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire.
1 Unclear study design: Potentially repeated cross-sectional with pre-post measures.
2 Unclear study design: Potentially pre-post unsure if observational or they set up the intervention themselves.
Table 2
Interventions and Strategies of the Reviewed Studies.
| INTERVENTION FORMAT | BEHAVIOURAL STRATEGIES | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STUDY | MULTPLE BEHAVIOURS | AEROBIC ACTIVITY | WEIGHTS | SUPERVISED | PROMPTS | PA IN PAID TIME | SOCIAL SUPPORT | INCENTIVES | EDUCATION | GOAL SETTING |
| Tomar & Allen 2016(A) KSA | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes – Leaflets, posters & Emails. Diary. HR-monitor | Yes | No | No | Yes – Lectures on intervention wk 1 & 6 | No |
| Tomar & Allen 2016 (b) KSA | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes –Leaflets, posters & Emails. Diary. HR-monitor | Yes | No | No | Yes –Lectures on intervention wk 1 & 6 | No |
| Loney et al. 2012 UAE | No | Yes | No – MYes – F | No – MYes – F | Yes – Seminar Posters, signages, Emails, banners & Leaflets. Exercise tools in office & building. Pedometer | Yes | Yes –ExecutivesParticipate | No | Yes – Materials in posters & leaflets forms | Unclear |
| Alrahma et al. 2021 UAE | No | Unclear | Unclear | Yes | Unclear | Yes | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear | Yes – hanging cardio-metabolic risk factors baseline to end |
| Al-Mohannadi et al. 2019 Qatar | No | Yes | No | No | Yes – Tips Emails & text msg Pedometer | Yes | Yes – Group joining & data sharing | Yes | No | Yes – Promoting behaviour change & Managing PA |
| Altwaijri et al. 2019 KSA | Yes | Yes | No – MYes – F | No – MYes – F | Yes – Emails, articles, healthy putlock, Posters & Calendar | Yes | Yes – Motivational Emails. walk w/chairman, cumulative Points from challenges. | No | Yes – Experts’ Sessions, lectures, Films, workshops, interactive sessions | Yes – Improve: work stress, satisfaction productivity absenteeism health, PA & diet |
| Al Saweer et al. 2017 Bahrain | Yes | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear | Yes – Healthy snacks & vending machine, gym discount, | Yes | No | No | Yes – Smoking cessation workshops | Yes |