Author(s): TUCCELLA, C., MAISTO, G., ZITO, P., NESPOLI, L., DI PIETRO, C., PUGLIESE, L., BONAVOLONTA, V., VINCIGUERRA, M.G., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF L'AQUILA, Country: ITALY, Abstract-ID: 1347

INTRODUCTION:
Workplace physical activity programs (WPAPs) are increasingly recognised for their ability to promote worker wellbeing. The university setting is an ideal environment for implementing these interventions. Occupational sedentary time and physical inactivity are associated with functional limitations and changes in body composition, which are negatively related to muscular strength, endurance, mobility, and cardiorespiratory fitness. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential association between physical fitness (PF), and body composition parameters before and after a 12-week WPAP on adult university employees.
METHODS:
55 university employees (16 males and 39 females) aged 46.16±16.10 (body mass 67.62 ± 11.90 kg), underwent 12 weeks of functional circuit training (CT) and mobility sessions (MS). The CT included eight stations with a work-rest ratio of 1:1 (30 sec) repeated for 3 rounds, alternating aerobic and resistance exercises. The MS included stretching and posture exercises, each lasting 12-20 repetitions with 2-4 sets. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), upper grip and lower limb strength, upper mobility, core endurance, balance, and body composition (muscle mass, body fat, ant total body water), were assessed before (T0) and after 12 weeks (T1).
RESULTS:
Significant improvements were observed for handgrip strength from 37.96±11.87 to 41.09± 11.65 (p=0.001), step test from 90.49±20.62 to 101.33±19.42 (p=0.000) and sit&reach from 7.97±7.68 to 9.48±7.30 (p=0.012). Muscle mass (from 47.05±9.99 to 47.36±10.53), body fat (from 30.30±8.23 to 30.82±9.22) and total body water (from 51.34±6.82 to 51.08±7.12) remained relatively stable across timepoints. PF variables improvements were independent (within-subects; all p>0.05) but modulated by body composition variations, as confirmed by linear mixed model covariate interaction (all p<0.01).
CONCLUSION:
Although no significant changes were observed in body composition, the findings suggest that WPAPs may contribute to improvements in selected components of PF. However, body composition would appear to be playing a modulatory role in PF outcomes, helping to counteract sedentary behavior within the academic community.