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PREMUS 2025: 12th International Scientific Conference on the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders


09.-12.09.2025
Tübingen


Meeting Abstract

Implementation of a 4-day workweek with monitoring and stimulation of regular physical activity in workers in Brazil in relation to their general health, correlated with economic benefits for companies and the state: a study protocol

Alexandher Negreiros 1
Karolline Lyra 2
Ana Alves 1
Rayane Botelho 1
César Malaguti 1
1ICEPi - Instituto Capixaba de Ensino, Pesquisa e Inovação em Saúde, Vitoria/ES, Brazil
2Governo do Estado do Espírito Santo, Vitoria/ES, Brazil

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Introduction: The reduction of the weekly work hours has been studied since before the 1980s, with proven benefits related to health and the economy; however, these studies were conducted in countries that do not have the same population characteristics as Brazil.

Methods: This is a study protocol lasting 6 months, aimed at implementing a 4-day workweek for administrative workers in a company, with the stimulation and monitoring of regular physical activity and healthy habits, evaluating the effect on the overall health (physical and mental) of the workers and correlating it with the direct and indirect economic benefits for the company and the state. The study population will consist of approximately 40 administrative workers in a face-to-face work regime, divided into two groups: Implementation and Guidance. The assessment of physical status will include Blood Pressure (mmHg), Weight (Kg), Height (m), and Body Mass Index (Kg/m²), with self-reported information collected. The monitoring of the workers will be done via smartphone applications, assessing the last seven days of use, using direct measurement to quantify the level of physical activity (using the Step Counter app (ITO Technologies, Inc.)), sleep quality (using the Sleep Cycle app (Sleep Cycle-AB)), and screen time will be monitored through the smartphone’s own system (iOS or Android), where both systems use the same information on usage over the last 7 days. The stimulation of physical activity will be through motivational strategies and adherence such as: motivational videos, reminders for exercise, weekly goals (minutes of physical activity performed), competition among participants with sports material prizes every 3 months, gamification: everyone earns points by meeting goals and accessing the app and social media: publicizing participants (Ranking) on the company’s channels. The evaluation of direct and indirect economic costs related to each employee will be calculated using a mathematical formula concerning absenteeism, leave, productivity, training, turnover, and legal costs. Weekly messages will be sent through the messaging app to encourage physical activity and healthy habits.

Results: We expect to find improvements for the Implementation group, as having one less workday and the stimulation of physical activity and healthier habits may promote self-care for their physical and mental health, thereby reducing absenteeism, leave, turnover, and labor lawsuits in the company, leading to cost reductions for the company and subsequently for the state.

Discussion: The review of the work schedule should be considered in light of the evolution of the world over the years, as the lack of time directly impacts individual health, generating both economic and public health impacts.

Conclusion: Studies in the occupational field should be integrated, taking into account the overall health of the individual as well as the economic impacts of their actions, prevention, or interventions, correlating the cost-benefit of these measures.