Finding time for workplace fitness

Delorice Hatten, Lael Pinkston, Diana Jones and Margaret Fulcher take a break to walk at work.

When workers are happy and healthy, employers see an increase in productivity.

This cause and effect is not just theory; a recent study at Baptist Health Systems provided data to back it up. The organization’s department of Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion allowed a group of workers to take two 30-minute exercise breaks a week for eight weeks.

“After the eight week trial, blood pressure readings were lower for over 90 percent of participating employees,” said Dr. Chad Rhoden, director of preventive medicine and health management at Baptist.

Twenty workers completed the program, which wrapped up earlier this month, and they reported lower glucose levels, more energy, fewer back pains, sleeping better and better ability to handle stress. Though it was not a weight-loss program, several reported weight loss also, he said.

“Most of them walked, and we waived their joining fee for the Healthplex (gym) on campus,” said Allison Lauderdale, Health Promotion department manager.

Rhoden said the study results add to “an abundance of literature and evidence to support the benefits of regular exercise.”

“If individuals are not getting that regular exercise otherwise, it more than significantly impacts their productivity while on the job,” he said. “Some employers even report that employees while they’re at the job are not productive and there’s nothing that can be done about that. But some of that can be attributed to the health of the employees.”

When employees are healthy and happy, employers don’t pay as much for workers’ healthcare, which affects the bottom line, said David Ray, a graduate student in medical sciences who assisted with the study.

While Baptist offered its workers a full fitness center and plenty of areas to walk, other workplaces can offer regular office space for employees who want to get more active.

“They can take the stairs if it’s a multi-level building,” Lauderdale said.

“They can take breaks to walk to the store if that’s possible,” Ray said. “Our employees weren’t required to walk the track at the gym. They could walk outside or through a tunnel that connects the buildings.”

Most of the program participants have desk jobs and don’t normally get much physical activity during the workday, Rhoden said. The study didn’t include any desk exercises.

And though it did not include a diet component, Lauderdale said some participants tried to eat better on their own.

“The information from the study will be looked at, analyzed and we will determine whether or not it’s something we’ll use for our entire organization,” Rhoden said. “We want to share it with other employers as well, based on what we’ve learned.”