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Text2c - Physical Activity and Exercise

A fit and healthy workforce benefits both workers and employers through reduced absenteeism, increased productivity, and improved morale. Employers can promote physical activity by providing facilities, adjusting work organization, and encouraging active commuting, while ensuring that worker consultation is included in the process. Regular physical activity is essential for health and can mitigate the risks associated with sedentary lifestyles.

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27 views1 page

Text2c - Physical Activity and Exercise

A fit and healthy workforce benefits both workers and employers through reduced absenteeism, increased productivity, and improved morale. Employers can promote physical activity by providing facilities, adjusting work organization, and encouraging active commuting, while ensuring that worker consultation is included in the process. Regular physical activity is essential for health and can mitigate the risks associated with sedentary lifestyles.

Uploaded by

byakubarda
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Physical activity and exercise

The benefits both to workers and to employers of a fit and healthy workforce are multiple: less absenteeism,
more productivity and higher staff morale. The workplace can contribute to the goal of having a fit and
healthy workforce in many ways. Physical activity is fundamental to energy balance and weight control, and
contributes to social and mental well-being. According to WHO, it reduces the risk of coronary heart disease
and stroke, of Type II diabetes and of colon cancer and breast cancer among women. Some work involves
much physical activity, and it is important that this activity be conducted in a way that it does not causes
injury or excessive fatigue. Some work involves little or no physical activity; together with other health trends
associated with a sedentary lifestyle are detrimental to health. Regular moderated physical activity
increased productivity in the workplace and lower worker absenteeism and turnover.

What can be done?


Many employers recognize they have a responsibility to protect the health and well-being of their workers. It
may be possible for large enterprises to provide sport facilities on their premises. Most of the options for
encouraging physical activity are much less expensive. For example, adjusting work organization to allow
appropriate time slots for physical activity can be very effective, especially if it is part of a wider campaign on
health promotion at the workplace, including information, education and other measures to create a social
environment which is conducive to physical activity and exercise. Using senior staff as role models may be
part of this process. Another important measure is using the physical layout of the workplace. For example,
by encouraging the use of stairs rather than lifts with the purpose of making use of a facility already in place
in many buildings. Travelling to work on foot or by bike, either all or part of the way can also be encouraged.
This may involve providing showering facilities, or collaboration with the community to provide safe walkways
and cycle paths. The advantage of using commuting as an opportunity for physical exercise is that it
integrates into the current activities of already busy lives, rather than taking extra time out of other activities.
Whatever measures are taken worker consultation throughout the process should be incorporated to ensure
that activities are responding to the needs and preferences of those concerned.

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