How Important Is Exercising?
Exercise has numerous benefits, and one of them is increased productivity. Various studies have investigated the relationship between exercise and productivity, and the results consistently show a positive correlation between the two.Â
Here I will provide some studies about the exercise effect on productivity. The writer has conducted his research and shared the result at the end of the article.
A study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOM) examined the effect of a workplace exercise program on productivity.Â
The study involved 231 employees participating in a 10-week exercise program during working hours. The results showed that the exercise program led to a 15% increase in productivity and a 20% reduction in absenteeism.
Another study published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology examined the effect of acute exercise on cognitive performance.Â
The study involved 24 young adults who completed a cognitive task before and after 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on a treadmill. The results showed that acute exercise improved cognitive performance, particularly in tasks that require attention and memory.
A meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reviewed 19 studies that investigated the effect of exercise on cognitive function in children and adolescents. The analysis showed that exercise positively affected cognitive function, particularly in tasks requiring attention and academic performance.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research reviewed 10 studies investigating the effect of exercise on depression and anxiety in adults. The analysis showed that exercise significantly reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, which can negatively impact productivity.
These studies demonstrate the positive impact of exercise on productivity, cognitive function, and mental health. Exercise can reduce stress, boost energy levels, improve memory and cognitive function, enhance creativity, and improve overall health, which all contribute to increased productivity.
Writer's Research Results:
The author conducted personal non-formal research related to this. The writer regularly goes to the gym for six months. Six months after that, the writer is absent from strenuous sports activities and only does simple exercises like walking. There are several differences when the author regularly goes to the gym and doing light exercise such as walking.
- When going to the gym regularly, the writer feels that the writer's body wants to do other activities immediately. In contrast, when just walking, the writer tends to be lazy and unmotivated to go out.
- Going to the gym helps the writer to develop self-confidence. At first, it was challenging to adapt to the gym, especially for new users. Still, there's no need to worry because the people at the gym will help if we ask politely. They won't badmouth us because of our current body posture or condition.
- The writer's cognitive abilities are improving. When receiving information, the writer processes the information faster when compared to before going to the gym.
- Writers can focus more when working and completing assignments.
- The writer's creativity has increased, whether this has something to do with sports or not. Still, the writer feels that the writer's creativity has increased over time.
In conclusion, incorporating regular exercise into our daily routine can significantly impact productivity. The studies cited above prove the relationship between exercise and productivity. By improving physical and mental health, exercise can help us perform better personally and professionally.
References:
- von Thiele Schwarz, U., Hasson, H. (2011). Employee self-rated productivity and objective organizational production levels: effects of worksite health interventions involving reduced work hours and physical exercise. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 53(8), 838-844.
- McMorris, T., Hale, B. J. (2012). Differential effects of differing intensities of acute exercise on speed and accuracy of cognition: a meta-analytical investigation. Brain and Cognition, 80(3), 338-351.
- Singh, A., Uijtdewilligen, L., Twisk, J. W. R., van Mechelen, W., Chinapaw, M. J. M. (2012). Physical activity and performance at school: a systematic review of the literature including a methodological quality assessment. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 46(4), 239-245.
- Cooney, G. M., Dwan, K., Greig, C. A., Lawlor, D. A., Rimer, J., Waugh, F. R., ... Mead, G. E. (2013). Exercise for depression. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 46(2), 126-135.