Workplaces should incorporate physical activity into daily tasks in a bid to improve productivity, enable Australia\u2019s ageing population to continue working and prevent some chronic diseases, new research led by Â鶹ֱ²¥ shows.<\/p>\n
The paper, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine<\/em>, examined the \u2018Goldilocks Principle\u2019 or designing physical activity at work that promotes physical capacity and health deemed to be \u2018just right\u2019.<\/p>\n Lead author John Curtin Distinguished Professor Leon Straker, from the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science at Â鶹ֱ²¥, said physical activity at work had traditionally been designed with the goal of being productive but not harming the worker.<\/p>\n However, Professor Straker said the research showed that workplaces should be aiming higher by encouraging a positive health impact from physical activity in the workplace, not simply aiming to have no negative impact.<\/p>\n \u201cThis research found that having \u2018just right\u2019 physical demands at work may improve productivity, enable people to maintain employment, continue paying taxes, prevent some chronic diseases and reduce treatment costs for chronic diseases,\u201d Professor Straker said.<\/p>\n \u201cFor example, we know that standing all day at work is not good for physical health, but we also know that sitting all day is not good for physical health. Therefore, just like the porridge for Goldilocks in the famous fairy tale could have been too hot or too cold, we need to find the \u2018just right\u2019 amount of physical activity at work to promote health.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is an important finding when you consider many societies, including Australia, are facing an ageing population, and maintaining physical capacity as the workforce ages is critical to sustained productivity and standards of living.\u201d<\/p>\n Professor Straker said it was important for both blue and white-collar workers that work was designed to promote physical activity and positive mental health.<\/p>\n \u201cThe \u2018Goldilocks Principle\u2019 offers a new model for work design, which can help address some of the major issues facing workplaces and societies today, including socioeconomic health inequities, the ageing population and our increasingly sedentary population,\u201d Professor Straker said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is likely that the \u2018Goldilocks Principle\u2019 could also be applied to mental demands and social conditions at work and therefore have a positive impact on both mental and physical health.\u201d<\/p>\n