The Introduction of an Active Rest Program by Workplace Units Improved the Workplace Vigor and Presenteeism Among Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Published in: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine Vol. 59; no. 12; p. 1140
• Main Authors: Michishita, Ryoma, Jiang, Ying, Ariyoshi, Daisuke, Yoshida, Marie, Moriyama, Hideko, Obata, Yasuko, Nagata, Masako, Nagata, Tomohisa, Mori, Koji, Yamato, Hiroshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.12.2017
• Subjects: Adult; Anthropometry; Efficiency; Exercise - physiology; Exercise - psychology; Female; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Presenteeism - statistics & numerical data; Rest; Work Engagement; Workplace - psychology
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001121

The present study was designed to examine the effects of active rest by workplace units on not only workers' individual vigor but also workplace vigor and presenteeism. A total of 130 workers performed our active rest (short-time exercise) program for 10 minutes per day during their lunch breaks, three to four times per week for 8 weeks. Subjects from a workplace unit were randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 66) or control (n = 64) groups. The participants' work engagement and Work Functioning Impairment Scale (WFun) were examined at the baseline and after the 8-week intervention period. After 8 weeks, the intervention group showed improved "vigor" values in work engagement and WFun (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the introduction of active rest program by workplace units provides a viable means for improving workplace vigor and presenteeism.