Exercising Smart: Exploring the Impact of a University Staff Fitness Program on Employee Productivity and Cognition.

Abstract

We explored the impact of a 10-week staff fitness program on university employee productivity and cognition. Forty-seven participants were included (staff fitness n = 27; control group n = 20), with a two (groups) × three (time points) between-subjects/within-subjects design employed. Participants completed the Victoria Stroop Color and Word Test and the Health and Work Questionnaire at each time point, to assess cognition and productivity, respectively. Participants also completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire weekly to monitor physical activity. Findings revealed no significant between group or longitudinal differences in productivity or cognition. A nonsignificant but large improvement ( P = 0.055; d = 0.97) in physical activity was evident in staff fitness participants, while control group physical activity significantly decreased ( P = 0.013). The staff fitness program improved physical activity levels, despite no improvements in productivity or cognition.