Physical Activity
The importance of physical activity
Physical activity is essential for good health (Department for Health 2004). Most public health organisations recommend that at least 30 minutes on 5 or more days a week are spent participating in moderately intense activities.
In doing more physical activity, we will develop the health-related areas of our fitness, particularly cardiovascular fitness (our heart, lungs and circulatory systems).
Improving physical fitness helps prevent, and manage, over 20 conditions and diseases including cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
Physical activity can also help to improve and maintain positive mental health and well-being (Department for Health 2004; Pate et al, 1995).
Why promote physical activity at work?
The Scottish Health Survey is the key tool used by the Scottish Government to measure physical activity levels in Scotland. Their findings show that on average 67% of women, and 56% of men, are not active enough for their health.
The 2003 paper Let's Make Scotland More Active: A Strategy for Physical Activity highlights the fact that ‘workplaces are an ideal setting to reach a large section of the adult population’ and further notes that, ‘"pressure of work" is one of the most common barriers to increasing physical activity . . . with time being scarce, the convenience of being active at and through work can be very attractive.'
Key recommendations of this paper are that employers should be made aware of the economic benefits of promoting physical activity in the workplace and given incentives to do so.
→ View Let's Make Scotland More Active: A Strategy for Physical Activity online (external site)
Evidence suggests that physical activity can benefit an organisation because active workforces tend to:
- report less illness and recover more quickly from the illnesses they do get
- experience less work absence*
- experience lower staff turnover
- be more productive
- have fewer industrial injuries
- report higher levels of satisfaction with their work
- create a positive corporate image.
* According to the Physical Activity Task Force, 2003, physically active employees take 27% fewer days of sick leave. This equates to over two days' improved attendance and a savings of £135 per employee.
What can employers do to promote physical activity?
Employers can promote and encourage increased levels of activity in a number of ways. They can encourage active travel to work, ensure appropriate facilities, such as showers or secure storage is available.
Other ideas include providing opportunities for active breaks for staff, encouraging the use of stairs and work-based walking programmes and flexible working policies and incentive schemes.
Information should also be freely available to staff advising them of the health benefits of being physically active.
Further information on promoting physical activity
- Email your query now
- Call our Adviceline on 0800 019 2211
Cycling Scotland (external site)
National agency promoting cycle use. Site includes information on how your organisation can promote active travel and register for the Cycle Friendly Employer programme.
Healthy Living (external site)
Information on healthy eating and physical activity, including easy-to-follow tips for improving levels of physical activity.
Paths to Health (external site)
Information on walking for health, including a section on promoting walking to work and in the workplace.
Sustrans (external site)
Website of the UK sustainable transport charity, including information on walking and cycling routes and groups across the UK.
Jogscotland (external site)
Information on Jogscotland's gentle walking, jogging and running programmes that encourage everyone to get out and be active and general advice on walking, jogging and running.
