Implementing intelligent physical exercise training at the workplace: health effects among office workers—a randomized controlled trial

Purpose The aim was to assess 1-year cardiovascular health effects of Intelligent Physical Exercise Training, IPET. Methods Office workers from six companies were randomized 1:1 to a training group, TG ( N = 194) or a control group, CG ( N = 195). TG received 1-h supervised high intensity IPET every week within working hours for 1 year, and was recommended to perform 30-min of moderate intensity physical activity 6 days a week during leisure. The training program was based on baseline health check measures of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), body composition, blood pressure, blood profile, and musculoskeletal health. Results There were no baseline differences between groups. CRF assessed as VO 2max in absolute values and relative to body weight was (mean ± SD): 3.0 ± 0.8 l/min and 35.4 ± 10.9 ml/min/kg for females, 3.9 ± 1.0 l/min and 37.9 ± 11.79 ml/min/kg for males. Intention to treat analysis demonstrated a significant almost 5 % increase in VO 2max in TG compared with CG. A per protocol analysis of those with an adherence of ≥70 % demonstrated a significant increase in CRF of more than 10 % compared with CG, and a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (−5.3 ± 13.7 mm Hg) compared with CG. Conclusion High intensity IPET combined with the recommendations of moderate intensity physical activity demonstrated significant clinical relevant improvements in CRF and systolic blood pressure. This underlines the effectiveness of health promotion by implementing physical exercise training at the workplace.