Impact of the “UMUCARDIO” exercise program on blood pressure and overall health in University of Murcia employees
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17561/jump.n10.9172Keywords:
arterial hypertension, physical activity, SF-12, occupational healthAbstract
In Spain, arterial hypertension affects more than 40% of the adult population. This condition is particularly prevalent among individuals in sedentary job positions, such as university staff. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the effects of a physical exercise program on blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and the physical and psychological health of university workers. The sample consisted of 12 participants (10 men and 2 women), employees of the University of Murcia, aged between 47 and 62 years, who participated in the “UMUCardio” program. A quasi-experimental study with pre- and post-intervention assessments was conducted. Participants attended a cardiovascular health improvement exercise program two non-consecutive days a week for 4 months. Data were collected using the SF-12 questionnaire and a model M3 sphygmomanometer (OMRON brand). After the intervention, significant improvements (p < 0.05) were observed in general health with a 26% increase in scores, and in physical and mental health by 23% and 28%, respectively. Additionally, there was an average decrease of 8 mmHg and 5 mmHg in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Therefore, the implementation of a specific physical exercise program for employees at the University of Murcia to improve hypertension leads to better hypertension levels as well as improvements in physical, psychological, and general health.
References
Alemán, J. A., Sainz de Baranda, P., & Ortín, E. (2014). Guía para la prescripción de ejercicio físico en pacientes con riesgo cardiovascular. SEH-LELHA.
Álvarez-Ochoa, R., Torres-Criollo, L. M., Garcés Ortega, J. P., et al. (2022). Factores de riesgo de hipertensión arterial en adultos. Una revisión crítica. Revista Latinoamericana de Hipertensión, 17(2), 129-137. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6662070
Baumgartner, H., & De Backer, J. (2020). The ESC clinical practice guidelines for the management of adult congenital heart disease 2020.
Brotons, C., Moral-Peláez, I., Vicuña, J., Ameixeiras, C., Fernández-Lavandera, C., & Sánchez-Chaparro, M. Á. (2023). Actualización y validación del riesgo cardiovascular de por vida en España: IBERLIFERISK2. Clínica e Investigación en Arteriosclerosis, 35(3), 115-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arteri.2022.09.003
Cipriano, C., Kilag, O. K., Echavez, R., Book, J. F., Taboada, A. R., & Rabi, J. I. I. (2024). Exploring the Landscape of Fitness Programs for Government Employees. International Multidisciplinary Journal of Research for Innovation, Sustainability, and Excellence (IMJRISE), 1(4), 53-59.
Cornelissen, V. A., & Smart, N. A. (2013). Exercise training for blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Heart Association, 2(1), e004473. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.112.004473
Fundación Española del Corazón. (2021). Encuesta de Salud de la Fundación Española del Corazón. Recuperado de https://fundaciondelcorazon.com/corazon-facil/recursos-didacticos/informes.html?download=92:encuesta-esfec-2021
Grimani, A., Aboagye, E., & Kwak, L. (2019). The effectiveness of workplace nutrition and physical activity interventions in improving productivity, work performance and workability: a systematic review. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1676. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-8033-1
Lechner, M. (2009). Long-run labour market and health effects of individual sports activities. Journal of Health Economics, 28(4), 839-854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2009.05.003
Menéndez, E., Delgado, E., Fernández-Vega, F., Prieto, M. A., Bordiú, E., Calle, A., et al. (2016). Prevalencia, diagnóstico, tratamiento y control de la hipertensión arterial en España. Resultados del estudio Di@bet.es. Revista Española de Cardiología, 69(6), 572-578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.recesp.2015.11.036
Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte. (2022). Encuesta de hábitos deportivos 2022. Recuperado de https://www.educacionfpydeportes.gob.es/dam/jcr:85c27abd-f167-4af8-ae61-c6f29d09e599/encuesta-de-habitos-deportivos-2022.pdf
Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2020). Estadísticas Sanitarias Mundiales 2020: monitoreando la salud para los ODS, objetivo de desarrollo sostenible. [World health statistics 2020: monitoring health for the SDGs, sustainable development goals].
Pallarés-Carratalá, V., Ruiz-García, A., Serrano-Cumplido, A., Arranz-Martínez, E., Divisón-Garrote, J. A., Moyá-Amengual, A., et al. (2023). Prevalence rates of arterial hypertension according to the threshold criteria of 140/90 or 130/80 mmHg and associated cardiometabolic and renal factors: SIMETAP-HTN study. Medicina (Kaunas), 59(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59101846
Penedo, F. J., & Dahn, J. R. (2005). Exercise and well-being: a review of mental and physical health benefits associated with physical activity. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 18(2), 189-193. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001504-200503000-00013
Proper, K. I., & van Mechelen, W. (2008). Effectiveness and economic impact of worksite interventions to promote physical activity and healthy diet. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 34(6), 331-340. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.1313
Schultz, A. B., Chen, C.-Y., & Edington, D. W. (2009). The cost and impact of health conditions on presenteeism to employers: a review of the literature. Pharmacoeconomics, 27(5), 365-378. https://doi.org/10.2165/00019053-200927050-00002
Sonnentag, S., & Jelden, S. (2009). Job stressors and the pursuit of sport activities: A day-level perspective. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 14(2), 165-181. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014953
Van Der Feltz-Cornelis, C. M., Varley, D., Allgar, V. L., & de Beurs, E. (2020). Workplace Stress, Presenteeism, Absenteeism, and Resilience Amongst University Staff and Students in the COVID-19 Lockdown. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.588803
Vilagut, G., María Valderas, J., Ferrer, M., Garin, O., López-García, E., & Alonso, J. (2008). Interpretación de los cuestionarios de salud SF-36 y SF-12 en España: componentes físico y mental. Medicina Clínica (Barc), 130(19), 726-735. https://doi.org/10.1157/13121076
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Enrique Ortega
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
