A-REST (Activity to Reduce Excessive Sitting Time): A Feasibility Trial to Reduce Prolonged Sitting in Police Staff

Marsha L Brierley; Lindsey R Smith; Angel M Chater; Daniel P Bailey

doi:10.3390/ijerph19159186

A-REST (Activity to Reduce Excessive Sitting Time): A Feasibility Trial to Reduce Prolonged Sitting in Police Staff

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jul 27;19(15):9186. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19159186.

Authors

Marsha L Brierley^{1

2

3}, Lindsey R Smith¹, Angel M Chater^{1

4}, Daniel P Bailey^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research, School of Sport Science and Physical Activity, University of Bedfordshire, Polhill Avenue, Bedford MK41 9EA, UK.
² Division of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK.
³ Centre for Physical Activity in Health and Disease, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK.
⁴ Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a theory-derived sedentary workplace intervention for police office staff. Twenty-four staff participated in an 8-week intervention (single arm, pre-post design) incorporating an education session, team competition with quick response (QR) codes, team trophy, weekly leaderboard newsletters, a self-monitoring phone app, and electronic prompt tools. The intervention supported participants to reduce and break up their sitting time with three minutes of incidental movement every 30 min at work. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed using mixed methods via the RE-AIM QuEST and PRECIS-2 frameworks. The intervention was highly pragmatic in terms of eligibility, organisation, adherence, outcome, and analysis. It was slightly less pragmatic on recruitment and setting. Delivery and follow-up were more explanatory. Reach and adoption indicators demonstrated feasibility among police staff, across a range of departments, who were demographically similar to participants in previous office-based multi-component interventions. The intervention was delivered mostly as planned with minor deviations from protocol (implementation fidelity). Participants perceived the intervention components as highly acceptable. Results showed improvements in workplace sitting and standing, as well as small improvements in weight and positive affect. Evaluation of the intervention in a fully powered randomised controlled trial to assess behaviour and health outcomes is recommended.

Keywords: QR codes; activity breaks; behaviour change wheel; feasibility; intervention; office workers; police; sitting.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Feasibility Studies
Health Promotion / methods
Humans
Occupational Health*
Police
Sedentary Behavior
Sitting Position*
Workplace

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR) at the University of Bedfordshire. No external funding supported the research.