1.Physical Inactivity among Health Staff: What Influences the Behaviour?
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2018;14(3):16-23
Introduction: Physical inactivity has been recognised as the fourth leading risk factor for mortality worldwide. Individuals who are physically inactive have an increased risk of 20% to 30% of dying prematurely. Individuals who fulfil the minimum recommendations of physical activity can reduce the development of Non-Communicable Diseases. In 2015, 33.5% of Malaysian adults were reported to be physically inactive. Various factors were found to be associated with physical activity participation and these factors need to be explored. Methods: A cross-sectional study using proportionate simple random sampling was conducted. A total of 310 health staff were sampled according to the proportion from five divisions and data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. IBM SPSS version 22.0 were used to analyse the data. Predictors for physical activity were also determined. Results: The response rate was 97.7% (303 out of 310). The prevalence of physical inactivity among respondents was 37.6%. The predictors for physical inactivity were smoker/ex-smoker (aOR=2.308, p=0.027), certificate/diploma education (aOR=2.135, p=0.008), personal barrier (aOR=1.055, p=0.017) and social environment barrier (aOR=1.106, p =0.025). Conclusion: People that have a higher possibility of being physically inactive were those with certificate or diploma education and smokers or ex-smokers. Those with personal barriers and social environment barriers likewise have higher probability of being physically inactive. Thus, appropriate health interventions should be developed by taking these factors into consideration to promote physical activity among the health staff.
Physical inactivity
2.Sitmate: an android mobile application for the prevention of musculoskeletal discomfort among a business process outsourcing company workforce management personnel.
Mary Sophia A. Bansale ; Ramses Sonny F. Dagoy ; Joseph James R. Hiso ; Khio Jerick D. Jumarang ; Emmanuel Luis F. Manila ; Mary Melissa Rayne F. Tuazon ; Anna Margarita Miling
Health Sciences Journal 2023;12(1):20-27
INTRODUCTION:
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, many have shifted into working at home which led to physical
inactivity. This may cause musculoskeletal discomfort, chronic disease, muscle atrophy and spinal
imbalance due to improper and prolonged sitting posture. Since mobile devices are relatively available
for most of the office workers, there were still a lack of evidence-based mobile applications that can
counteract the inactivity through exercises, which led to the researchers to create an application called
SitMate that consists of evidence-based exercises which aimed to prevent musculoskeletal discomfort
among a business process outsourcing company Workforce Management Personnel (BPO-WMP).
METHODS:
Eleven participants (18-40 years old) full-time, work-from-home BPO-WMP were randomized
into Treatment Group(TG)(n=6) and Control Group (CG)(n=5). The TG received one month intervention with
the use of SitMate Application containing relaxation exercises, range of motion exercises and stretching
exercises, and notifications for postural correction while the CG continued their usual working schedule.
RESULTS:
There were no significant differences between two groups on all body parts that were measured
using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire, and no significant differences in the
intragroup pre-test and post-test scores on all body parts between TG and CG. For the intra-group
post-test of the TG, there were noted improvements on the hip/buttock, right shoulder, upper back
(median = 0) and right wrist (median = 1.5). There was also a noted increase in discomfort on the neck
(median = 1.5) and lower back (median = 3). For the post-test of the CG, there were noted improvements
on the right shoulder, right wrist (median = 0) and lower back (median = 1.5).
CONCLUSION
This study has shown that the SitMate application does not effectively reduce the prolonged
sitting-related discomfort among the personnel after 1 month of intervention.
mobile application
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musculoskeletal discomfort
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physical inactivity
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low back pain
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posture