Promoting health and physical capacity during productive work the Goldilocks Principle

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health Vol. 45; no. 1; pp. 90 - 97
• Main Authors: Holtermann, Andreas, Mathiassen, Svend Erik, Straker, Leon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Finland Nordic Association of Occupational Safety and Health (NOROSH) 01.01.2019; Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
• Subjects: Aerobics; Aging; Biomechanics; Discussion paper; Employees; Employment; Epidemics; Ergonomics; Exercise; goldilocks principle; health capacity; Health promotion; Health-Promoting Work; Hälsofrämjande arbete; Intervention; Job rotation; Morbidity; Musculoskeletal diseases; Occupational health; Occupations; Organizations; Pain; Paradigms; Physical activity; physical capacity; Physical fitness; physical work demand; Prevention; productive work; sedentary behavior; Systematic review; Work capacity; workplace health promotion; Denmark; Workplace health promotion; Occupational health; Physical activity; Ergonomics; Physical work demands; Sedentary behaviour
• ISSN: 0355-3140; 1795-990X; 1795-990X
• DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.3754

Objectives In spite of preventive efforts, organizations and employees face several challenges related to working life and occupational health, such as a substantial prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, social inequality in health and physical capacity, multi-morbidity, an obesity epidemic and an aging workforce. We argue that a new approach to occupational ergonomics and health is required, going beyond prevention of harm caused by work. We propose the "Goldilocks Principle" for how productive work can be designed to promote health and physical capacity. Methods Physical (in)activity profoundly influences health and physical capacity, with effects depending on the extent and temporal structure of the (in)activity. Like the porridge, chair and bed that needed to be "just right" for Goldilocks in the The Three Bears fairytale, physical activity during productive work needs to be "just right" for promoting rather than deteriorating health and capacity. In many jobs, physical activity is, however, either too much/high/frequent or too little/low/infrequent to give positive biomechanical and cardiometabolic stimuli. Results This paper presents the rationale, concept, development, application and prospects of the Goldilocks Principle for how productive work can be designed to promote health and physical capacity. Conclusions We envision a great potential to promote health and physical capacity by designing productive work according to the Goldilocks Principle, thus leading to benefits with respect to the current challenges related to working life and occupational health for society, organizations and employees.