Work Stops Employees Exercising
The health of two out of three adults could be at risk as a result of too little exercise, with many claiming they are too busy at work to stay fit, according to a union report. A study by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) found almost two thirds of survey respondents believed they were not getting enough exercise.
The survey was conducted by Opinion Research for CSP through an online poll of 2084 British adults between 9 and 14 April 2009. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.
The most common reason for not taking regular exercise was work commitments. Over half (53 per cent) said they would take more regular exercise if they could fit it into their existing daily routine. And over a third of all respondents (35 per cent) to the physios' union survey said they don't take regular exercise because they are too busy with work. Two out of five people admitted they got out of breath walking up stairs, with women appearing to be less fit than men, the report said.
In the North West 67% of respondees said they were not getting enough exercise due to work pressures.
CSP spokesperson Bridget Hurley said: "Regular physical activity is as important as eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, and people need to understand that you can't keep putting it off. Without sufficient physical activity you increase your risk of life-threatening illnesses."
The CSP published the survey findings to coincide with the launch of its new 'Move for health' campaign aimed at encouraging people to be more physically active.
Hazards magazine last year warned that over-stretched workers were increasingly being labelled 'sickos, shirkers and slobs', but did not have the time or energy thanks to their jobs to make healthy lifestyle choices.
A Government Report by Dame Carol Black into Britain's workplaces and the health of employees recommended various issues should be addressed, including exercise. Using the workplace as an environment to promote exercise amongst other things, was clearly one of the main recommendations of the report which was accepted by the Government.
Both the report and the Government response can be found in the E-Library Database
Read the CSP Report here
Source: TUC Risks / CSP
