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

Objective: We explored the impact of a 10-week Staff Fitness Program on university employee productivity and cognition.

Methods: Forty-seven participants were included (Staff Fitness n = 27; control group n = 20), with a two (groups) x three (time-points) between-subjects/within-subjects design employed. Participants completed the Victoria Stroop Colour 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.

Results: Findings revelated no significant between group or longitudinal differences in productivity or cognition. A non-significant but large improvement (p = .055; d = 0.97) in physical activity was evident in Staff Fitness participants, while control group physical activity significantly decreased (p = .013).

Conclusions: The Staff Fitness Program improved physical activity levels, despite no improvements in productivity or cognition.