Study and Results
Magdalena Huber, master student of the master program Physical Activity and Health, conducted research on health effects of the concept in her master thesis. The study included modules that were installed over twelve weeks in two open-plan offices. Using a controlled pre-after-measurement, she investigated whether the concept has effects on well-being, stress perception, perceived work performance, and the commitment of the employees towards the company. Furthermore, she assessed whether the employees are more physically active during the work time and whether long sitting phases can be interrupted by active breaks. The intervention group reacted positively to the program: Work output as well as commitment to the company increased, the psychological and social well-being of the employees improved. Daily sitting periods and stress perception decreased. Within the control group, there were no changes in the variables during the corresponding period.
Recommendation and Services
The support of an employer for its employees´ health has positive effects on both health and performance indicators. These effects were found without addiditional time investments made into health promotion by the employees. The modules were in immediate proximity and could therefore be used rather incidental than planned.
Students of the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at TUM can inform themselves about the modules at the Department of Sport and Health Management and receive advise for controlled trial studies. Furthermore, the modules for empirical studies can be borrowed by students that seek to install or evaluate measures of employee health management (e.g., with practice partners).
Contact
Department of Sport & Health Management
Prof. Dr. Jörg Königstorfer
Secretary: Mirjam Eggers
Uptown München Campus D
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 Munich
Phone: +49.89.289.24559
Fax +49.89.289.24642