One Step at a Time: An Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behavior Among Working Adults

One Step at a Time: Testing the Efficacy of a Novel Social Cognitive Theory-Based Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behavior Among Working Adults

The proposed study will test the preliminary efficacy of a novel 12-week social cognitive theory-based intervention that will target reducing daily sitting time and increasing exercise participation among middle-aged working adults. This is a population highly susceptible to excessive sedentary time and low levels of exercise engagement. This two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) will examine the preliminary efficacy of decreasing sedentary time in addition to increasing moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) engagement, compared to a group which only receives MVPA promotion.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 45-65 years of age by study start date
• Hold full-time employment (≥ 30 hours/week) at one or more jobs
• Hold a sedentary-based job (which also allows for ability to freely move about during the workday)
• Low active (engage in ≤2 days of 30+ minutes of structured moderate-vigorous intensity exercise/week)
• Physician's consent to participate in aerobic testing and/or the exercise program (if needed based on Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire responses)
• Ambulatory
• Absence of health conditions that may be made worse by exercise
• Ability to complete all testing assessments in-person
• Access to a laptop/desktop/phone with Zoom web-conferencing software
• Fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Under 45 or over 65 years of age
• Not holding full-time employment (work < 30 hours/week at one or more jobs)
• Hold a job(s) which is classified as light, medium, heavy, or very heavy work
• Hold a sedentary-based job which does not allow for free movement throughout the workday (i.e., bus driver)
• High active (engage in > 2 days or 30+ minutes of structured moderate-vigorous intensity exercise/week)
• Non-consent of physician
• Non-ambulatory (i.e., use of walkers, wheelchair, cane, etc.)
• Presence of health conditions that may be made worse by exercise.
• Unable to complete assessments in-person
• No access to laptop/desktop/phone with Zoom software