The Vital@Work study. The development and the (cost-) effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention in order to improve older workers vitality.

As a consequence of an ageing workforce, workers need to prolong their working
life. Vitality is of great importance for the endured employability of aging
workers. Since having high energy levels is one of the main components of
vitality, lifestyle could contribute to ageing workers* vitality by positively
affecting aging workers activity. As a consequence, a lifestyle intervention
which aims to improve lifestyle is considered to be an effective instrument to
keep ageing workers vital.

The aims of the Vital@Work study are: 1) to develop a lifestyle intervention in
order to improve ageing workers* vitality, and 2) to evaluate the effectiveness
of the lifestyle intervention on lifestyle behaviour and vitality, and 3) to
evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the lifestyle intervention.

The Vital@Work study is a randomized controlled trial. During six months,
employees in the intervention group will receive the lifestyle intervention as
developed in the first phase. The control group will receive usual care. Both
groups will be measured at baseline, and after 6 and 12 months.

The intervention will be aimed at:

1) improving physical activity levels during leisure time
This will be done by providing an exercise programme aimed at improving both
mental vitality (by providing grouplessons aimed at relaxation exersice) and
fysical vitality (by providing grouplessons aimed at endurence exercises). The
exercise programme will be combined with three visits to the Personal Vitality
Coach during the six months lasting intervention period. These coaching visits
will be aimed at 1) goal setting with regard to improving physical activity
levels and eating more fruit 2) feedback on setted goals, and 3) Planning
coping response to prevent hard-time situaties shich might threaten the
intention for action (mainly aimed at being physical active during leisure
time).

2) improving healthy dietary habits by eating more fruit
Three times a week, there will be a special *workfruitday* during the
intervention period of six months. On these workfruitdays, a basket filled with
fruit will be distributed over the departments which are allocated to the
intervention. The baskets will be placed at a strategic point at which
well-visited spots like near the coffee machine or at the table in the coffee-
or lunchroom.

Profits for the subjects are:
* participation in physical activity programme (programme aimed at improving
cardiovascular endurance and an relaxation programme)
* Improved vitality
* (general information about) a healthy lifestyle
* general information about the results of the study

Burdens for the subjects are:
* to complete three questionnaires
* complete an 2-km walk test three times during the study period of one year