Does training frequency and supervision affect compliance, performance and muscular health? A cluster randomized controlled trial

• Specific strength training was effective in reducing musculoskeletal pain.
• Different training schedules showed similar compliance and health behavior effects.
• Extensive supervision was not found to be essential for compliance or health behavior effects.
• Physical exercise training at the workplace can be implemented with flexibility.
• Exercise self-efficacy at baseline was a determinant for compliance.

The aim was to determine the effect of one weekly hour of specific strength training within working hours, performed with the same total training volume but with different training frequencies and durations, or with different levels of supervision, on compliance, muscle health and performance, behavior and work performance.In total, 573 office workers were cluster-randomized to: 1WS: one 60-min supervised session/week, 3WS: three 20-min supervised sessions/week, 9WS: nine 7-min supervised sessions/week, 3MS: three 20-min sessions/week with minimal supervision, or REF: a reference group without training. Outcomes were diary-based compliance, total training volume, muscle performance and questionnaire-based health, behavior and work performance. Comparisons were made among the WS training groups and between 3WS and 3MS. If no difference, training groups were collapsed (TG) and compared with REF.Results demonstrated similar degrees of compliance, mean(range) of 39(33–44)%, and total training volume, 13.266(11.977–15.096)kg. Musculoskeletal pain in neck and shoulders were reduced with approx. 50% in TG, which was significant compared with REF. Only the training groups improved significantly their muscle strength 8(4–13)% and endurance 27(12–37)%, both being significant compared with REF. No change in workability, productivity or self-rated health was demonstrated. Secondary analysis showed exercise self-efficacy to be a significant predictor of compliance.Regardless of training schedule and supervision, similar degrees of compliance were shown together with reduced musculoskeletal pain and improved muscle performance. These findings provide evidence that a great degree of flexibility is legitimate for companies in planning future implementation of physical exercise programs at the workplace.ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01027390.