Impact of active breaks on the occupational health of administrative and operational personnel belonging to the Fire Department of the Sucúa Canton.

Abstract

Workplace well-being is a key component of occupational health, as it directly influences workers’ physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as their job performance. In this context, active breaks have become an important preventive strategy, especially in organizations with high operational and cognitive demands. The purpose of this research was to analyze the impact of implementing active breaks on occupational health and workplace well-being among administrative and operational personnel of the Fire Department of the Sucúa Canton. The study was developed considering the specific characteristics of an emergency response institution, where workload, stress, and physical demands constitute relevant risk factors. The research was conducted using a qualitative descriptive approach aimed at understanding personnel perceptions regarding the effects of active breaks on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Semi-structured interviews were applied to participants of an active break program implemented over four weeks, with brief sessions carried out every four hours and an approximate duration of ten minutes. The results allowed the identification of a positive perception regarding the implementation of active breaks. Participants reported a reduction in physical and emotional tension, greater relaxation, improved concentration, and a favorable perception of their job performance. In conclusion, this research demonstrated that active breaks constituted an effective strategy to strengthen workplace well-being and occupational health among personnel of the Fire Department of the Sucúa Canton. These findings highlight the importance of institutional support, systematic implementation, and collective participation to ensure sustainable benefits within demanding emergency service environments for occupational health promotion programs.