Workplace Exercise Health Promotion Plan
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
108 male workers were selected from among 1,300 employees of a petroleum complex to participate in an exercise program to reduce the incidence of diseases related to lifestyle. Selected individuals had two or more risk factors for circulatory disorders including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and hyperglycemia. These conditions were confirmed by the annual health checkups at the workplace in 1996; all men were cleared for exercise.
The participants were randomly assigned to one exercise group (54 men) and one control group (54 men). The exercise group was instructed to take 20 minutes' walking exercise on a treadmill, three times a week for six months. The walking exercise occurred during normal work hours.
The participants were randomly assigned to one exercise group (54 men) and one control group (54 men). The exercise group was instructed to take 20 minutes' walking exercise on a treadmill, three times a week for six months. The walking exercise occurred during normal work hours.
Goal / Mission
The goal of this exercise program was to reduce the incidence of diseases related to lifestyle, such as cerebrovascular diseases and ischemic heart diseases, and to preserve and promote workers' health.
Impact
The exercise program proved to be effective in increasing adaptive walking speed and in lowering waist to hip ratio.
Results / Accomplishments
At baseline, there were no significant differences between the exercise group and the control group. Three months following the intervention, the exercise group had a significant reduction in the mean waist to hip ratio as compared to the control group (p<.001). Significant increases in HDL and HDL2C was observed in the exercise group. The HDL2C/HDL3 cholesterol ratio increased in the exercise group and decreased in the control group.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Showa Denko Corporation and Oita Medical University
Primary Contact
Masaru Fukahori
Center of Industrial Health
Showa Denko Coporation
Oita Plant, Nakanosu
870-0111 Oita, Japan
Center of Industrial Health
Showa Denko Coporation
Oita Plant, Nakanosu
870-0111 Oita, Japan
Topics
Health / Physical Activity
Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants
Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants
Organization(s)
Showa Denko Corporation and Oita Medical University
Source
Journal of Occupational Health
Date of publication
1999
Location
Oita, Japan
For more details
Target Audience
Adults, Men