Authors (including presenting author) :
Chung WK(1), Tsui KL(2), Li R(2), Cho HY(2), Lo BY(2), Chan TM(1), Tsang NC(1), Man CP(1), Cheung KY(1), Kwong SF(1), Wan SY(1), Ng KW(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Physiotherapy Department and (2)Department of Medicine, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
Introduction :
The Medical Health Week on February 2018 in PYNEH revealed high prevalence of central obesity among medical staff as reflected from waist-hip-ratio (WHR). While increase in WHR was shown to increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk (De Koning et al., 2007), exercise training would decrease CVD. However, lack of time is often reported as a barrier to exercise. HIIT was shown to improve cardiovascular fitness and reduce obesity comparable to moderate intensity continuous training, but with 40% less time required (Wewege et al., 2017). Therefore, Physiotherapy Department organised a half-hour lunchtime HIIT programme for PYNEH medical staff on voluntary basis from August to October 2018 to enhance staff health and wellness.
Objectives :
1. To improve cardiovascular fitness and prevent progressive obesity among medical staff 2. To enhance staff awareness to maintain healthy workplace
Methodology :
All medical staff were invited to join HIIT programme. HIIT was held for 12 weeks, with 2 half-hour sessions per week at lunchtime. Each session included 6 x 4 bouts of 25-second exercise at 85% maximal heart rate (HR), interspersed with 10 seconds of active recovery at 60% maximal HR. Warm-up, core stability and stretching exercises were included. Exercises were modified as indicated. Efficacy was evaluated by aerobic capacity (VO2 max) and HR recovery as assessed by submaximal step test. WHR was measured by performing bioelectrical impedance analysis using Inbody® machine.
Result & Outcome :
50 staff participated in the programme with 480 attendance in total.12 participants were available for pre- and post- analysis, including doctors and nurses. As a whole, there were improvement in VO2 max by 2.1 ml/kg/min (equivalent to 0.6 MET), HR recovery by 8bpm, and WHR reduction of 0.01unit, though not reaching statistical significance, likely due to small sample size. 80% of participants showed improvement in the above domains. Staff also reflected easier to cope with work demand. Conclusions: This pilot study suggested HIIT programme is feasible and beneficial to medical staff in improving aerobic capacity, reducing obesity and hence decreasing CVD risk. The programme could be expanded to involve other departments to enhance staff wellness.
Co-location with:
