Characteristics of effective physical exercise interventions conducted in the workplace: a scoping review

The workplace can be considered an environment with potential for developing programs that promote health. Despite positive evidence in the literature on physical exercise interventions in these locations, it becomes relevant to understand the characteristics (type, intensity, duration) of the interventions that positively impact workers’ health. Therefore, this study aims to contribute to tracking down scientific evidence of physical exercise interventions performed in the workplace. This is a scoping review with six databases: PubMed, Lilacs, SciELO, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and Scopus. Using the search strategy: ((Workers OR Worker) AND (Physical Activities OR “Physical Exercise”) AND (Workplace OR Workplaces OR “Work Location”) NOT (leisure-time physical activity). 4,181 articles were found, and 53 articles were selected. Data analysis was performed by calculating frequency and percentage, focusing mainly on the characteristics of physical exercises. All procedures were performed using R software version 4.2.1. Strength training (71.8%) was the most used physical exercise, followed by aerobic training (15.1%), combined (11.2%), and others (1.9%). 56% of the interventions used a progressive approach to intensity, while the volume varied from 10 to 60 minutes. The study demonstrated that strength training with progressive intensity and short duration is the most commonly used interventions. The workplace, with limited time and space, proved to be an excellent moment to include physical exercise in people’s routines.

Keywords:
Exercise; Occupational groups; Workplace.