THE FEASIBILITY OF HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT) IN THE WORKPLACE OBESITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Abstract

Introduction: Community-based health promotion program “KOSPEN” was officiated in 2013 and expanded to all workplace settings under Ministry of Health Malaysia in 2017 as known as “KOSPEN PLUS”. The program was recognized to reduce modifiable lifestyle risk behaviours for non-communicable diseases including obesity. The sedentary working population are at increased risk of obesity related diseases. The present workplace health program funded by KOSPEN PLUS was aimed to determine the feasibility of High Intensity Interval Training at workplace.

 Methodology : A total of 108 participants from a research institute aged between 25 - 59 years old with abnormally high body mass index were recruited in the workplace program-based project “Health Is Wealth” employing a pre-post design.  The 10 weeks of High Intensity Interval Training (3 times a week, 30 minutes each time) was conducted. Anthropometric parameter (Weight, BMI, Waist circumference) and Biochemical profile (Fasting serum lipid and glucose) were compared pre and post intervention. The dropped out rate was documented 38% and 3.7% with irretrievable data.

 Results: Among 63 remaining participants, there were significant reduction on mean body weight 1.8 ( 95% CI:  1.1, 2.4) , BMI 0.9 ( 95% CI: 0.4, 1.3 ), and fasting serum cholesterol 0.16 ( 95% CI:  0.01, 0.31 ).

 Conclusion: The present workplace program-based project observed positive beneficial changes in mean body weight, BMI and fasting total cholesterol following the HIIT protocol for ten weeks. However, the long term effects of program together with its combination with nutritional care need further exploration.

Keywords: feasibility, 10 weeks, High Intensity Interval Training, Workplace, obesity program