Fit Employees worth $2500 to their boss

22 Sep, 2011 04:00 AM

EMPLOYEES who walk 10,000 steps a day and work out in the gym three times a week can give their employer an extra $2500 worth of productivity a year.

They may also add five years to their lifespan in the process.

The Body-Brain Performance Institute, in conjunction with Swinburne University's Brain Sciences Institute, took 40 Melbourne workers, gave them pedometers and then split them into two groups.

The control group was given the task of achieving 10,000 steps a day, compared to the 2000 to 3000 steps of an average office worker.

The second group also had to clock up 10,000 steps, but in addition undergo three resistance training sessions each week designed by the researchers.

Over the following eight weeks, the employees' measurable components of brain function, including the ability to plan, remember, simulate future scenarios and make decisions, were measured using a neuropsychological test battery.

Employees' alertness and energy levels were also measured, along with their levels of anger and stress.

The research showed a clear link between vigorous physical activity, increased brain function and reduced stress levels at work.

While the control group showed a two per cent improvement in their level of fitness and brain function by achieving 10,000 steps a day, the trial found that when more vigorous exercise was added three times a week, an employee's bioage - a figure based on the level of a person's health and fitness, as opposed to their chronological age - increased by five years.

Brain function also increased significantly, to the level of 4 per cent.

The trial concluded that each member of the exercise group had contributed an additional $2500 worth of productivity annually to the company.

Legend International Holdings is one Mount Isa company to embrace the benefits of employee exercise.

The mining company pays for gym memberships for its employees.

Health and safety officer Brendan Childs said the investment paid for itself.

"People come to work fresher," he said.

"We've been doing this for just over 12 months to give our Mount Isa people more incentive to come to work."

Project manager Ed Walker said active employees were productive employees.

"Our sick days have really dropped," he said.

"People are more keen to come to work and bounce out of bed a lot easier."

SOURCE:

22 Sep, 2011 04:00 AM

back