The acceptability of a novel seismocardiography device for measuring VO2 max in a workplace setting: a mixed methods approach
Abstract Background Workplace health screening rarely includes measures of cardiorespiratory fitness, despite it being a greater predictor of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality than other routinely measured risk factors. This study aimed to determine the comparative acceptability of usin...
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2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21480-6 |
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| author | Anouska M Carter Liam Humphreys Alison Beswick Sue Kesterton Alex Bugg Katharine Platts |
| author_facet | Anouska M Carter Liam Humphreys Alison Beswick Sue Kesterton Alex Bugg Katharine Platts |
| author_sort | Anouska M Carter |
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| description | Abstract Background Workplace health screening rarely includes measures of cardiorespiratory fitness, despite it being a greater predictor of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality than other routinely measured risk factors. This study aimed to determine the comparative acceptability of using a novel seismocardiography device to measure cardiorespiratory fitness via VO2 max during a workplace health check. Methods Participants were invited to participate in workplace health screening sessions where VO2 max was assessed by both seismocardiography at rest and sub-maximal exercise testing, in order for acceptability of both to be compared across multiple domains. Questionnaires and focus group guides for participants and practitioners were developed based on the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Data were analysed using t-tests and deductive thematic analysis. Results There was a significant difference in the acceptability domain of ‘affective attitude’ between the novel SCG device (M = 9.06 ± 1.14) and the sub-maximal exercise testing (M = 7.94 ± 1.79); t = 3.296, p = .001, d = 0.50, and in the domain of ‘burden’ between the novel SCG device (M = 9.16, ± 0.55) and the sub-maximal exercise testing (M = 7.41 ± 1.45); t = 7.033, p = < 0.001, d = 1.45. Practitioners and employees highlighted the potential of seismocardiography to create a more inclusive and accessible workplace offer, allowing those with restricted mobility or those with differing physical or emotional needs to participate in wellness testing; yet there was a lack of understanding in both groups around intervention effectiveness and coherence. Conclusions Seismocardiography may offer an acceptable route to cardiorespiratory fitness testing in the workplace, due to the low effort requirement and simplicity of administration. This study suggests that practitioners delivering such services have a critical role to play in acceptability of health interventions at work, as employees will be heavily influenced by practitioner beliefs around coherence and effectiveness. Comprehensive delivery training is important for the adoption of new health-related technologies such as seismocardiography into workplace health screening. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a7509d8b54e24ea8867d0598dd4943a6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-a7509d8b54e24ea8867d0598dd4943a62025-02-02T12:45:41ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-01-0125111310.1186/s12889-025-21480-6The acceptability of a novel seismocardiography device for measuring VO2 max in a workplace setting: a mixed methods approachAnouska M Carter0Liam Humphreys1Alison Beswick2Sue Kesterton3Alex Bugg4Katharine Platts5Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam UniversityAdvanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam UniversityAdvanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam UniversityAdvanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam UniversityAdvanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam UniversityAdvanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam UniversityAbstract Background Workplace health screening rarely includes measures of cardiorespiratory fitness, despite it being a greater predictor of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality than other routinely measured risk factors. This study aimed to determine the comparative acceptability of using a novel seismocardiography device to measure cardiorespiratory fitness via VO2 max during a workplace health check. Methods Participants were invited to participate in workplace health screening sessions where VO2 max was assessed by both seismocardiography at rest and sub-maximal exercise testing, in order for acceptability of both to be compared across multiple domains. Questionnaires and focus group guides for participants and practitioners were developed based on the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Data were analysed using t-tests and deductive thematic analysis. Results There was a significant difference in the acceptability domain of ‘affective attitude’ between the novel SCG device (M = 9.06 ± 1.14) and the sub-maximal exercise testing (M = 7.94 ± 1.79); t = 3.296, p = .001, d = 0.50, and in the domain of ‘burden’ between the novel SCG device (M = 9.16, ± 0.55) and the sub-maximal exercise testing (M = 7.41 ± 1.45); t = 7.033, p = < 0.001, d = 1.45. Practitioners and employees highlighted the potential of seismocardiography to create a more inclusive and accessible workplace offer, allowing those with restricted mobility or those with differing physical or emotional needs to participate in wellness testing; yet there was a lack of understanding in both groups around intervention effectiveness and coherence. Conclusions Seismocardiography may offer an acceptable route to cardiorespiratory fitness testing in the workplace, due to the low effort requirement and simplicity of administration. This study suggests that practitioners delivering such services have a critical role to play in acceptability of health interventions at work, as employees will be heavily influenced by practitioner beliefs around coherence and effectiveness. Comprehensive delivery training is important for the adoption of new health-related technologies such as seismocardiography into workplace health screening.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21480-6SeismocardiographyVO2 maxCardiorespiratory fitnessWorkplace healthAcceptability. |
| spellingShingle | Anouska M Carter Liam Humphreys Alison Beswick Sue Kesterton Alex Bugg Katharine Platts The acceptability of a novel seismocardiography device for measuring VO2 max in a workplace setting: a mixed methods approach BMC Public Health Seismocardiography VO2 max Cardiorespiratory fitness Workplace health Acceptability. |
| title | The acceptability of a novel seismocardiography device for measuring VO2 max in a workplace setting: a mixed methods approach |
| title_full | The acceptability of a novel seismocardiography device for measuring VO2 max in a workplace setting: a mixed methods approach |
| title_fullStr | The acceptability of a novel seismocardiography device for measuring VO2 max in a workplace setting: a mixed methods approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | The acceptability of a novel seismocardiography device for measuring VO2 max in a workplace setting: a mixed methods approach |
| title_short | The acceptability of a novel seismocardiography device for measuring VO2 max in a workplace setting: a mixed methods approach |
| title_sort | acceptability of a novel seismocardiography device for measuring vo2 max in a workplace setting a mixed methods approach |
| topic | Seismocardiography VO2 max Cardiorespiratory fitness Workplace health Acceptability. |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21480-6 |
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