The Active Wellness Office: User Perception on Safety,
Attention, Productivity, and Energy Level
Desiree J. Ahrens, MA, IBCLC, EPC 1; Medina-Inojosa Jose M.D. 2; Stacy Peterson,
BS, CES, CWC 1; Lopez-Jimenez Francisco M.D, MSc 2;
1 Dan
Abraham Healthy Living Center; 2 Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases;
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Organization
Objective
Methods
Discussion
Mayo Clinic is the first and largest integrated, not for
profit, medical group practice in the world.
The overarching purpose of the Active Wellness Office (AWO) is to
conduct research in a controlled environment.
The organizational mission states, “To inspire hope
and contribute to health and well-being by providing
the best care to every patient through integrated
clinical practice, education and research.”
The initial research question is to evaluate the AWO user’s
perception of the effect the AWO has on productivity, attention,
and energy level during the workday.
Sample Size and Composition: Participants were staff of the
DAHLC including administrative staff, member service
representatives, health and wellness coaches, group fitness staff,
and management. The 43 participants reported daily average
workday sitting time of 3.6 (SD 1.6) hours when not using an
AWO. Participants were encouraged to schedule meetings and
administrative work in the AWO. Staff were limited to two hours a
day of AWO use, which did not have to be consecutive. The
participants were instructed on using the AWO and given
education on non-exercise activity thermogenesis and exercise
in the office.
The results from this sample give pleasing results
towards the use of a space like the AWO. The sample
in this study has one limitation to the research
question. While reporting a daily average workday
sitting time of 3.6 (SD 1.6), this population is relatively
active during the work day as compared to previous
studies7. Further research may include subjects that
are more sedentary at baseline and evaluate the
differences after this intervention.
The Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center (DAHLC) is
a state-of-the-art wellness facility located on the
Rochester campus serving employees, retirees,
students, volunteers and spouses. DAHLC provides
quality facilities, services and programs to make
healthy living accessible, enjoyable and affordable.
Intervention
Measures Utilized: We applied a Likert-type scale to a crosssectional survey that included questions on outcomes regarding
the use of the AWO.
Results
Strongly Disagree Neither
disagree
agree nor
disagree
Background
It is widely thought that the cumulative effect of sitting
is a large contributor to the rising rate of obesity and
diseases associated with obesity (e.g., diabetes and
cardiovascular diseases) 1,2. Health care costs, in
turn, have also increased 3.
Exercise has been shown to increase overall health
and wellness when completed regularly 4. Intentional
exercise is just one part of a person’s daily energy
expenditure. Non-exercise activity thermogenesis
(NEAT) also plays an integral part in one’s daily
activity thermogenesis 5. Encouraging movement in
the office is one simple intervention employers have
begun instituting to combat rising health care costs 6.
Limited research is available that demonstrates the
employer benefits of an active office which combines
NEAT with exercise. There is a need to identify and
compare office-based wellness interventions in a
research-controlled environment.
The AWO measures 3.22
meters x 3.70 meters (11.9
square meters). Desk
computers may be swung in
front of a treadmill (walking
speed 0.3-2.0 mph), a stepper,
or standing room. Inside the
room are cards and a poster
depicting office exercises. A
dry erase surface covers all
walls offering creative output.
The AWO offers both NEAT
and exercise opportunities
within the workplace.
The room is equipped for two
staff members conducting
administrative work, or up to
six staff members in a meeting.
No chairs exist in the office.
Agree
Strongly
agree
Total
I consider working
in the Active
Wellness Office to
be safe.
2.33%
1
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
30.23%
13
67.44%
29
43
I feel more
efficient when
working in the
Active Wellness
Office.
2.33%
1
4.65%
2
18.60%
8
34.88%
15
39.53%
17
43
I feel more
productive when
working in the
Active Wellness
Office.
2.33%
1
2.33%
1
16.28%
7
34.88%
15
44.19%
19
43
I have a longer
attention span
when working in
the Active
Wellness Office.
2.33%
1
I notice
improvements in
my focus when
working in the
Active Wellness
Office.
2.33%
1
I have experienced
an increase in
energy after using
the Active
Wellness Office.
2.33%
1
Future research may also include targeting the effects
of an active wellness meeting space as well as the
employers’ perception of productivity and effectiveness
at work. Further investigations may include employee’s
body fat percentage, blood pressure, heart rate,
weight, submaximal oxygen uptake, resting metabolic
rate, cholesterol, triglycerides, muscular endurance,
and others during and after using an AWO. The effects
of this research are ultimately tied to health care costs
for employees and their employers.
Conclusions
Users of an AWO consider it safe and productive.
Employers may consider implementing AWO’s without
major concern of safety and productivity.
References
1. Chau JY, Grunseit AC, Chey T, Stamatakis E, Brown WJ, Matthews
2.33%
1
25.58%
11
37.21%
16
32.56%
14
2.
43
3.
0.00%
0
25.58%
11
39.53%
17
32.56%
14
4.
43
5.
6.
2.33%
1
13.95%
6
44.19%
19
37.21%
16
7.
43
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