Gavin, D (2023) The effect of a multi-component intervention with and without height-adjustable workstations on vascular and behavioural outcomes in contact centre call agents. Other thesis, Liverpool John Moores University.

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Abstract

Background: In modern society, despite the health-enhancing benefits of physical activity (PA), the number of adults meeting the PA guidelines is low, with physical inactivity presented as the fourth leading cause of death globally. High sedentary behaviour (SB) levels are a risk factor for numerous chronic diseases and all-cause mortality. Furthermore, there is evidence that SB is associated with health independent of PA levels. In the UK, up to 4% of the UK population are employed within contact centres, and call agents sit for 90% of their working day. In comparison to traditional office workers, contact centre call agents have less autonomy over their working practices due to high call volumes and the need to be connected to their computer via a headset. This study evaluated the effect of a 12-week multicomponent PA and SB intervention with and without the provision of a sit-stand workstation on behavioural, vascular, and anthropometric outcomes in call centre workers. Methods: A two-arm, parallel-group, pilot randomised control trial was implemented in one contact centre in the North West of England. Participants were divided into two groups: i) a multi-level intervention group with the use of a sit-stand workstation (sit less and move more plus; (SLAMM+), and ii) a multi-level intervention group without a sit-stand workstation (SLAMM). Both groups received organisational, intrapersonal, and interpersonal support to sit less and move more, while the SLAMM+ group received the additional environmental component of a height-adjustable workstation. Data was collected at baseline (0 weeks) and 12 weeks. Assessments included flow-mediated dilation, blood pressure and anthropometrics and behavioural outcomes. Results: While no significant between-group differences were observed for vascular, behavioural or anthropometric outcomes after 12 weeks of intervention, the direction and magnitude of the adjusted change scores were favourable for the SLAMM+ group compared to the SLAMM group for total and prolonged occupational and daily sitting time, and occupational and daily standing time. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest the provision of a sit-stand workstation may be important for eliciting more favourable changes in behavioural outcomes in call centre workers with no changes in vascular outcomes. Future studies should aim to assess if replacing sitting with standing in call agents provides an adequate physiological stimulus to improve endothelial function in call agents.

Item Type:	Thesis (Other)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Sedentary Behaviour; Physical Activity
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine
Divisions:	Sport & Exercise Sciences
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	10 Oct 2023 13:19
Last Modified:	10 Oct 2023 13:19
DOI or ID number:	10.24377/LJMU.t.00019891
Supervisors:	Graves, L, Sprung, T and Low, D
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/19891

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