Mar 17, 2004 12:31 ET

New Study Directly Links Physical Fitness to Work Performance

First of Its Kind Study Reveals New Detriments of Physical Inactivity

BLOOMINGTON, Minn., March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Modifiable, lifestyle-related health risks significantly impact on-the-job performance according to a recently released study conducted by the HealthPartners Research Foundation.


The study, published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, shows that respondents who engage in moderate exercise have higher work-quality and better job performance than those who lead sedentary lifestyles. According to the study, physically fit employees get along better with coworkers, and take fewer sick days than out-of-shape employees. Subjects with high levels of cardiovascular fitness perform more work, using less effort.


"This is the first study to draw a meaningful relationship between work performance and physical activity-related behavior," says Dr. Nico Pronk, the study's principal investigator and vice president of HealthPartners Center for Health Promotion. "It's good to see employers and health organizations taking notice and building fitness programs accordingly."


The study's findings support why some healthcare organizations are starting to sponsor fitness programs. Two such programs, HealthPartners recently-initiated Frequent Fitness Program and HealthPartners 10,000 Steps Program(R), are designed to encourage physical activity and promote healthy lifestyles. Through partnerships with Northwest Athletic Club, Twin Cities area YMCAs and YWCAs, Gold's Gym, Flagship Athletic Club and Weight Watchers, HealthPartners is able to offer its members reduced or eliminated enrollment fees and membership fee reimbursements. Details are available at healthpartners.com .


"Employers are just starting to realize the financial benefits of encouraging physical fitness among their workers," explains Dr. Brian Martinson of the HealthPartners Research Foundation, one of the study's lead investigators. "Our team published a study in October showing that increasing physical activity to even moderate levels was associated with declines in annual health care charges of $2,000 on average. Combined with this study, we are showing that health care costs can be lowered and work productivity increased just by making adjustments and increasing physical activity."


HealthPartners


HealthPartners is a consumer-governed family of nonprofit health care organizations in Minnesota, focused on improving the health of its members, its patients and the community. HealthPartners and its related organizations staff more than 9,600 employees who provide health care services, insurance, and HMO coverage to more than 650,000 members. The HealthPartners ( www.healthpartners.com ) family includes the HealthPartners Medical Group and Clinics, RiverWay Clinics and North Suburban clinics, HealthPartners Central Minnesota Clinics, HealthPartners Dental Group and Clinics, Regions Hospital, Regions Hospital Foundation, HealthPartners Research Foundation, HealthPartners Institute for Medical Education, and Group Health Plan, Inc.


Source: HealthPartners