workers inspired to reach new fitness levels
Fri 28 Mar 2008
28/03/2008
More than 1,000 workers are being motivated to get fit by a new work-based study into physical activity and health. Psychologists from the University of Leeds are helping bus drivers, office staff and managers from three major organisations to take more exercise. "Exercise not only reduces the risk of physical illness and therefore sickness absence, but can also lessen anxiety and depression and help people to perform everyday tasks better," said health psychologist Dr Rebecca Lawton, who is leading the team. The study is based on sedentary workers from around the country and has created a toolkit of materials to help motivate employees to get fit. Dr Lawton added: "We hope the trial will help change the way people think about activity and that by working in groups with peer group support our participants and their employers will see real changes." Workers who spend long periods working on computers are advised to take regular 'screen breaks'.
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