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The effectiveness of a combined healthy eating, physical activity, and sleep hygiene lifestyle intervention on health and fitness of overweight airline pilots: A controlled trial
The health of airline pilots is crucial, particularly for those who are overweight. This study aimed to assess whether a structured intervention focusing on nutrition, sleep hygiene, and physical activity (PA) could enhance cardiorespiratory fitness and overall well-being in this population.
In this parallel-group study involving 125 airline pilots, participants in the intervention group underwent a 16-week program aimed at fostering healthy eating habits, improving sleep quality, and increasing physical activity levels. Key outcome measures were evaluated both objectively and subjectively before and after the intervention. Measurable health indicators included maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), body mass, skinfold measurements, girth measurements, blood pressure, resting heart rate, push-ups, and plank hold. Self-reported metrics encompassed weekly PA, sleep quality and duration, fruit and vegetable consumption, and self-rated health, which were recorded at baseline and following the intervention, with a wait-list control group undergoing identical assessments.
Results indicated significant benefits for the intervention group across all measured outcomes (p < 0.001), with the exception of weekly walking (p = 0.163). Notably, objective health measures markedly improved when comparing intervention participants to the control group, with p-values below 0.001 and effect sizes ranging from d = 0.41 to 1.04. Furthermore, self-reported behavior changes, including increases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, enhancements in sleep quality and duration, a rise in fruit and vegetable intake, and improved self-rated health, were also significant (p < 0.001, d = 1.00−2.69).
These findings suggest that a personalized approach to nutrition, physical activity, and sleep can lead to considerable short-term improvements in the physical and mental health of overweight airline pilots. Future research is needed to determine the sustainability of these benefits over time. [NPID: Pilots, intervention, behavior change, fruit and vegetable intake, personalized nutrition]
Year: 2026
