Office Workers' Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity During and Outside Working Hours

TLDR

The study examined objectively measured sedentary behavior and physical activity during and outside working hours in full‑time office workers. Participants wore ActiGraph GT1M accelerometers for seven days, and time spent sedentary (<100 counts/min), light PA (100–1951 counts/min), and moderate‑to‑vigorous PA (≥1952 counts/min) was calculated for workdays and nonworkdays. Office workers spent 68 % of workdays sedentary versus 60 % on nonworkdays, with 71 % of working hours sedentary, and those most sedentary at work remained sedentary outside work, indicating a lack of compensation and a need for interventions targeting both workplace and leisure‑time sedentary behavior.

Abstract

To examine objectively determined sedentary behavior and physical activity (PA) during and outside working hours in full-time office workers.A total of 170 participants wore an ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer for 7 days. Time spent sedentary (<100 counts/min), in light-intensity PA (100 to 1951 counts/min), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (≥1952 counts/min) was calculated for workdays (including working hours and nonworking hours) and nonworkdays.Participants accumulated significantly higher levels of sedentary behavior (68% vs 60%) and lower levels of light-intensity activity (28% vs 36%) on workdays in comparison with nonworkdays. Up to 71% of working hours were spent sedentary. Individuals who were most sedentary at work were also more sedentary outside work.Those who are most sedentary at work do not compensate by increasing their PA or reducing their sedentary time outside work. Occupational interventions should address workplace and leisure-time sedentary behavior.