Physical Fitness And Physical Activity Among Employees At The University Of Puerto Rico

There are strong associations between physical activity (PA), physical fitness (PF), and health. Among university employees, low levels of PA have been previously reported, however, few studies have described PF characteristics in this population. PURPOSE: To describe and evaluate associations between PA and PF (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, isometric muscular strength, dynamic balance and agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness) among employees at the University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras Campus (UPRRP). METHODS: A group of 73 employees (60 females, 13 males, age = 48.8 ± 10.1 y), mostly in non-academic positions (60%) participated in the wellness initiative study, part of the Exercise is Medicine on Campus (EIM-OC) activities at the UPRRP. Measures included height and weight for BMI calculation, waist circumference with anthropometric tapes, and isometric hand grip strength with dynamometers. Also, the Senior Fitness Testing protocol was used to measure dynamic balance and agility (Foot Up and Go Test), and cardiorespiratory fitness (6-Minute Walk Test). Moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and steps/day were determined with ActiGraph® wGT3X-BT accelerometers that participants wore in the right hip area during seven consecutive days. RESULTS: Mean BMI = 30.6 kg/m2, waist circumference = 96.3 cm, body fat = 41.5 ± 9.0 %, sum of right and left hand grip strength = 49.4 ± 17.6 kg, Foot Up and Go Test = 6.0 ± 1.0 s, 6-Min Walk Test distance = 487.1 ± 121.3 m), MVPA = 102.7 ± 88.6 min/week, and steps/day = 5,450 ± 1,483. Compared with males, females had higher body fat, but lower hand grip strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and MVPA. Expected functional PF mean values were observed for hand grip strength, distance completed in 6 min, and dynamic balance and agility, but poor PA and PF characterized these employees. Moreover, MVPA was inversely associated with body fat (r = -0.68, P = 0.02) and directly associated with grip strength (r = 0.28, P = 0.02). Also, grip strength and dynamic balance and agility were inversely associated with body fat (r = -0.61, -0.48, respectively, P < 0.05 for both). CONCLUSION: The observed low levels of PA and grip strength, and high levels of body fat, waist circumference and BMI justify the implementation of a workplace intervention aimed to improve PA and PF at the UPRRP.