Elevating Workplace Health: Key Insights from the Copenhagen Consensus on Physical Activity
Workplaces have long been recognised as a key setting for promoting health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA). Recently, an international collaboration of leading experts created a roadmap to maximise the effectiveness of workplace HEPA programs. The Copenhagen Consensus Statements, published in the European Journal for Sport and Society, provide valuable insights and recommendations for organisations committed to fostering healthier, more active workplaces. This blog article provides a summary of the key points from this article. What is Health Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) in the workplace? HEPA programs in the workplace aim to encourage physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviours among employees through structured and unstructured activities. These programs range from active transport initiatives, like cycling to work, to integrated exercises and active breaks throughout the workday. The term HEPA recognises that the aim is for a “Goldilocks” or just right amount of physical activity exposure to enhance health in this setting: not too much and not too little. Key Consensus Insights for Success Tailor Programs to Employee Needs: Effective programs align with specific roles, occupational demands, and health needs of employees. Sedentary roles may benefit from strategies that involve regular movement and postural breaks to reduce exposure to prolonged sedentary time, while…
