EFFECTS OF 1- VS 2-WEEKLY PARTICIPATION IN A WORKPLACE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM ON PHYSICAL FITNESS COMPONENTS OF AN ADULT ACADEMIC COMMUNITY: DIFFERENCES IN SESSION TYPE AND FREQUENCY

Purpose: Workplace physical activity programs (WPAPs) are increasingly acknowledged for their potential to enhance employee health. The university setting presents a favorable environment for implementing such programs. This study compared the effects of 1 vs 2- weekly participation of a 12-week combined circuit training and mobility program on physical fitness (PF) among university employees. Methods: Fifty-four university employees (14 males and 40 females) aged 48.20 ± 16.65 years (body height: 165.51 ± 8.92 cm; body mass: 68.2 ± 12.5 kg) followed a 12-week training program with one group (N = 28) participating in two-weekly sessions, one circuit training and one mobility (CTM) the other group (N = 26) doing one weekly mobility session (MS). The CTM included eight stations with a work-rest ratio of 1:1 (30 s) repeated for 3 rounds, alternating aerobic and resistance exercises. The MS involved stretching and posture exercises, each lasting 12–20 repetitions, with 2–4 sets. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), upper limb grip strength, upper mobility, core endurance, lower limb strength and balance were assessed before (T0) and after 12 weeks (T1) Results: ANOVA analysis showed a significant effect of time (T0 vs T1, p = 0.003). Specifically, significant improvements were observed for handgrip (37.50 ± 12.09 vs 41.02 ± 12.00 kg, p = 0.002), two minute step test (90.80 ± 20.10 vs 98.65 ± 19.17 reps, p = 0.004) and sit and reach (7.52 ± 8.17 vs 8.94 ± 7.60 cm, p = 0.05). Moreover, our data showed significant differences between groups for arm curl (CTM vs MS: 22.32 ± 0.66 vs 19.56 ± 0.69 reps, p = 0.006) and time up and go (CTM vs MS: 4.65 ± 0.10 vs 5.04 ± 0.10 s, p = 0.001). No significant time per group interaction was found. Conclusions: Our program showed significant improvements over time in upper limbs strength, CRF and agility/dynamic balance. Moreover, the twice-weekly CTM showed better improvements for upper limp strength compared to the MS. Although overall improvements were observed in both groups, our findings suggest that although intervention was effective for both groups, session fre quency and type may influence and enhance specific components of physical fitness.