Pedal@Work: A Worksite Wellness Program

Recent research indicates prolonged sedentary behaviors such as computer use and workplace sitting are particularly damaging resulting in increased risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Few interventions have been tested with the specific purpose of reducing sedentary time to improve risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases. The primary aim of this pilot study is to test the efficacy of a worksite intervention for reducing daily sedentary time and improving risk factors for cardiometabolic disease (e.g., measures of adiposity, anthropometrics, cardiorespiratory fitness) among sedentary, overweight, full-time working adults as compared to a waitlist control. A secondary aim will be to test pedal time at work as a measure of compliance with the intervention. Participants will be followed for 12 weeks and randomized to either a treatment or wait list control group which will have the option to crossover into the intervention after 12 weeks.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults between 21 and 65 years
• Sedentary (engaging in moderate intensity physical activity for less than 60 minutes per week)
• Working full time (35+ hours/week) at a sedentary desk dependant occupation
• Overweight (Body Mass Index > 25.0 kg/m2 but less than 40.0 kg/2)
• Apparently healthy as assessed by a health history screening survey
• Devoid of overt complicated or acute cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, or neurological diseases
• Free from exercise/physical activity limitations

Exclusion criteria

• Adults with significant health problems exacerbated by exercise, such as uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, orthopedic limitations, etc. will be excluded from the study. Note, with physician approval and adequate control of these health problems, these conditions will not necessarily preclude participation.
• Being unable to exercise