Benefits of Sport & Physical Activity at Workplace

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published data on the efficiency and economic impact of physical activity on health, including sports in the workplace. The following points were found:

Health benefits of Sport & Physical Activity (SPA)

1. Regular and adapted SPA reduces the risk of premature death, all ages and causes considered.
2. Regular practice of moderate-intensity SPA contributes to well-being and quality of life.
3. SPA maintains and develops muscle function.
4. Varied SPA develops bone density during growth, and slows down its decline at adult age.
5. SPA is an important factor in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
6. SPA has a key role in preventing type 2 diabetes (or non-insulin dependent)
7. SPA is a treatment for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
8. Regular practice of SPA limits weight-gain and favors weight control
9. SPA reduces the risk of developing certain cancers (breast, colon, endometrium...)
10. Regular practice of SPA plays a part in preventing and treating osteo-articular and neuro-degenerative diseases.
11. SPA is a privileged means for re-education, functional re-adaptation and integration for people with handicaps.
12. SPA, especially when moderate, is a factor of balance for mental health.
13. SPA shows specific impact at different stages of a woman’s life.
14. Moderate-intensity SPA plays a very positive role in the health of elderly people. 

Nature of Benefit	Benefit for the Employee	Benefit for the Employer
Positive Change	Improves physical condition Weight-management Reduces alcohol and tobacco consumption	Reduces absenteeism Reduces workplace accidents Improves workplace interactions Improves the quality of work Improves employee commitment Improves attractiveness of company and employee-loyalty
Psycho-Social	Encourages physical well-being Improves health Reduces risk of chronic disease Reduces repetitive strain injuries Reduces stress	Improves employee morale Improves social interactions Improves employee concentration Positive impact on corporate culture Improves workplace satisfaction Reduces stress
Financial	Reduces health spending Improves enthusiasm Improves job-satisfaction	Reduces health costs Reduces costs due to absenteeism Return on investment

  Source: WHO, French Business Confederation & French Olympic Committee 

Among the countless opportunities, sports offer to businesses - developing physical activity among employees, using sports in management, renewing the nature of partnerships, improving transitions between sport and the business world for top athletes - are challenges that we can, and must take on. Sport is a wealth to share, together, we can provide it with the means to benefit businesses, contribute to employee fulfillment, and be virtuous for society as a whole. Let’s attempt to rise to the “sports in the workplace” challenge. Let’s work together and make of sports in the workplace a daily reality, so that tomorrow, the sports-break may replace the cigarette-break.