Effect of a Wellness Programme on Aerobic Physical Exercise Adherence and Blood Lipid Profile Changes among Office Workers

Introduction. Lack of physical activity is a risk factor for dyslipidemia. Office work is a job associated with low physical activity. Wellness programmes in the workplace might increase physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Objective. This study aimed to determine the effect of a wellness programme on aerobic physical exercise adherence and blood lipid profile changes among government employees.

Methods. This study used a randomized controlled trial design, with the intervention (wellness programme)
conducted for six weeks. Thirty participants who were office workers in a government institution were allocated into two groups. The intervention group (n = 15) received health education, aerobic physical exercise (30 minutes on a treadmill, three times/week for six weeks), reminders, and a logbook. The control group (n = 15) received education only. The outcomes were adherence to the exercise programme and lipid profile levels.

Result. The intervention group showed more adherence to aerobic exercise than the control group (OR 42.2, 95% CI 5.1, 346.9). The mean (SD) total cholesterol level in the intervention group was decreased by 9.9 (21.1) mg/dl, while in the control group, it was increased by ?16.0 (14.5) mg/dl at the end of the study (p = 0.010). The mean (SD) of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the intervention group was also decreased by 0.9 (17.2) mg/dl while in the control group, it was increased by -14.8 (11.6) mg/dl (p = 0.007). No significant mean differences were observed for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglyceride.

Conclusion. A workplace wellness programmes can enhance employees’ adherence to physical exercise and decrease their total blood cholesterol and LDL level.