Summaries of research on the workplace are provided on these pages by topic area. Please click the links below for more information. Alternatively, additional physical activity research can be found in the Information Centre, or in other population/setting sections on the left hand side menu .

Sick leave, absenteeism and physical activity

Retirement and physical activity levels

Physical activity interventions in the workplace

Sick leave, absenteeism and physical activity

Dose–response relation between physical activity and sick leave

Proper, K. I., van den Heuvel, S. G., De Vroome, E. M., Hildebrandt, V. H. & Van der Beek, A. J. (2006). Dose–response relation between physical activity and sick leave. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 40(2): 173-178.

This study examined the dose–response relation between moderate and vigorous physical activity and sick leave in a working population in the Netherlands. Data from three large Dutch databases: two continuous, cross sectional surveys among a representative sample of the Dutch population and one prospective cohort study were used. A distinction was made between duration, frequency and intensity of physical activity. The outcome measure was the number of days of sick leave. Analyses of variance were used to compare sick leave (in days) for workers with different amounts of physical activity, in particular workers meeting the physical activity recommendations versus those who did not. The results did not find any relation between moderate physical activity and sick leave. In two databases, workers meeting the recommendation of vigorous physical activity (active at a vigorous level for at least three times a week) had significantly less sick leave: more than one day over two months and more than four days over a year. The duration of vigorous physical activity was not associated with sick leave. Therefore, physical activity at a vigorous intensity level for at least three times a week, as in the CDC/ ACSM recommendation, has been shown in this study to have a positive effect on sick leave.

Effect of sporting activity on absenteeism in a working population

van den Heuvel, S. G., Boshuizen, H. C., Hildebrandt, V. H., Blatter, B. M., Ariens, G. A. and Bongers, P. M. (2005). Effect of sporting activity on absenteeism in a working population.  British Journal of Sports Medicine, 39, 165.

This paper aimed to determine the effects of sporting activity on absenteeism in a working population.  Data was collected from a prospective cohort study in a working population with a follow up period of 3 years and were collected using a yearly questionnaire or gathered from company records.  Data was collected from 1228 workers on absenteeism, sporting activity and potential confounders. The results showed a significantly higher mean duration of absenteeism among employees who did not take part in sports.  This difference was approximately 20 days more over a period of 4 years.  The effect of sporting activity is greater in employees whose work is sedentary.  Furthermore there was no association found between the number of years of involvement in sporting activities and absenteeism.  In conclusion, employees who take part in sport take sick leave significantly less often that their colleagues who do not practice sport.  Employees who participate in sport also have shorter periods of sick leave, especially when their work is sedentary.

Retirement and physical activity levels

Work, retirement and physical activity: cross-sectional analyses from the Whitehall II study

Mein, G. K., Shipley, M. J., Hillsdon, M., Ellison, G. T. and Marmot, M. G. (2005). Work, retirement and physical activity: cross-sectional analyses from the Whitehall II study. European Journal of Public Health, 15(3), 317-322.

The study looked at the relationship between work, retirement and physical activity through cross-sectional analyses of data from self-completed questionnaires by 6224 civil servants aged 45–69 years participating in phase 5 of the Whitehall II longitudinal study. The results indicated that there appeared to be a dose–response relationship between hours worked and the prevalence of physical activity. A lower prevalence of individuals achieving the recommended physical activity levels occurred amongst participants working full time (30 h/week), higher prevalence rates occurred amongst those working part time (<30 h/week), and the highest rates amongst participants who were retired. The findings suggest that full-time work is associated with lower rates of recommended physical activity levels in this cohort of middle-aged white-collar office workers. Lower grade occupations are also less likely to meet the recommended physical activity levels. The frequency of different types of physical activity is associated with different occupational grades, with more sport and gardening being done by the higher occupational grades.

Interventions in the workplace

Efficacy of an electronic messaging intervention on physical activity and nutrition behaviour in the workplace context

Plotnikoff, R., McCarger, L., Wilson, P. M. and Loucaides, C.  (2005).  Efficacy of an electronic messaging intervention on physical activity and nutrition behaviour in the workplace context.  American Journal of Health Promotion, July/Aug, 422-429.

The study involved three government agencies and two private sector organizations.  It was prompted by the researchers' concern over the growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes and the evidence that healthy exercise and a balanced diet are the key to preventing type 2 diabetes. The participants were divided into an intervention group who received health-related emails and a control group who did not.  The intervention group alone showed an increase in physical activity levels.  They also had more confidence in being able to participate in physical activity at the end of the study'.  In addition, participants in the intervention group recognised more pros and fewer cons to physical activity and were more open to making dietary changes.

Increasing stair use in a worksite through environmental changes

Kerr, N., Yore, M., Ham, S. and Dietz, W. (2004). Increasing stair use in a worksite through environmental changes. American Journal of Health Promotion, 18(4), 312-315.

The CDC conducted four consecutive  environmental interventions to increase stair use at its Rhodes Building in Atlanta. Interventions included carpeting and paint, artwork, promotional signage and music. Evaluation of the interventions was based on electronically measured stair traffic.  The addition of motivational signs and music were both associated with an increase in the average number of daily stair trips per building occupant. The increase attributed to signs dropped off after 3 months, while the increase associated with music increased after 3 months.

The Long-Term Impact of a Four-Session Work-Site Intervention on Selected Social Cognitive Theory Variables Linked to Adult Exercise Adherence

Hallam, J.S. and Petosa, R. (2004). The Long-Term Impact of a Four-Session Work-Site Intervention on Selected Social Cognitive Theory Variables Linked to Adult Exercise Adherence. Health Education and Behaviour, 31(1), 88-100.

Employees from a service-type industry took part in an intervention designed to affect social cognitive theory variables linked to exercise behavior. The intervention was targeted at employees who were in the contemplation, preparation, or action stages of change regarding exercise. The treatment group included forty-eight employees who attended four 1-hour sessions over a two-week period. Participants did not exercise during the sessions. Sessions focused on increasing the use of self-regulation skills; dispelling the myths of exercise; identifying the expected outcomes from exercising and learning how to engage in a safe, efficient, and effective exercise programme. The comparison group consisted of employees who had recently joined the company’s wellness centre, and received a personal exercise programme and an orientation to the fitness facility. Outcome-expectancy value, exercise self-efficacy, the use of self-regulation strategies for exercise and exercise behaviour were measured for both the treatment and comparison groups. Results showed that the treatment group consistently increased exercise behaviour from pretest to 12 months. At baseline 50% exercised at least 3 days per week, and at 12 months, 67% exercised at least 3 days per week. The comparison group showed a consistent decline in exercise behaviour over the same time period, from 68% exercising at least 3 days per week at baseline to 25% at 12 months. The treatment group showed an increase in the use of self-regulation skills and outcome-expectancy from baseline to 12 months, while the comparison group showed a decrease in both variables across the same time period.

Worksite intervention model for facilitating changes in physical activity, fitness, and psychological parameters

White, J.L. and Ransdell, L.B. (2003). Worksite intervention model for facilitating changes in physical activity, fitness, and psychological parameters. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 97, 461-466. 

Thirty sedentary female faculty staff from the University of Utah participated in a 12-week worksite physical activity intervention to examine the effectiveness of behaviour change strategies combined with various physical activities. The first two weeks of the intervention consisted of classroom sessions focused on behaviour change strategies, including benefits and barriers, goal setting and self-monitoring of exercise. Over the remaining ten weeks participants attended supervised physical activity sessions twice per week. These sessions included walking/low-impact aerobics, weight training and indoor cycling. Subjects also were encouraged to perform physical activity independently on one to three additional days during the week. Results of the study showed a significant increase in the amount of physical activity, significant decrease in the number of barriers to physical activity and improved health-related fitness. There were no statistically significant changes in physical self-perception.

  The results of a worksite health promotion programme in Kuala Lumpur , Malasia

Moy, F., Sallam, A. A. B., and Wong, M. (2006) The results of a worksite health promotion programme in Kuala Lumpur , Malasia. Health Promotion International 21 (4): 301-310

This study reports on the impact of a 2 year worksite health promotion programme specifically looking at serum cholesterol and dietary changes among Malay male security guards in Kuala Lumpur . Subjects were recruited to the intervention group from a public university in Kuala Lumpur and the comparison group were taken from a security unit in the teaching hospital of the same university. Questionnaires were administered to collate information regarding the guards medical history, lifestyle behaviours and socio-demographic characteristics. Interviews and focus groups were also conducted to give a better understanding of some of the behaviours reported in the questionnaire. Ways to increase physical activity, quitting smoking and reducing stress levels were also discussed in group sessions. Anthropometric measurements were taken at baseline and at 6 month intervals for 2 years. The intervention group received one to one counselling on various topics including physical activity, nutrition and other factors related to cardiovascular disease. The comparison group received minimal health education through mail and group sessions. The males in the intervention group significantly reduced their total cholesterol levels from 5.83 to 5.62 mmol/l whereas the comparison group had a slight increase of 5.44 to 5.61 mmol/l after the 2 year period. There was a small reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked by those in the intervention group. HDL cholesterol levels were reduced in both groups however a larger reduction was reported in the intervention group. The males in the intervention group also reported a slight increase in physical activity, reduced fat intake and total food intake. This study reported a moderate improvement in reducing risk factors associated to cardiovascular disease. In order to achieve a bigger impact of worksite health promotion a more conductive environment should be provided to help facilitate behavioural change. It is important that employers support health promotion in the workplace by implementing or modifying work place policies to achieve healthy lifestyle behaviours.