Exercise a proven benefit to staff performance

A recent study has shown that employees who undertake regular exercise can provide their organisation with a financially measurable return.

Businesses may be able to gain up to $2,500 worth of extra productivity from individual workers if they walk 10,000 steps a day and are allowed to work out up to three times a week, according to research by Swinburne University's Brain Sciences Institute and the Body-Brain Performance Institute.

The results gained show a clear link between the performance levels of employees and the levels of vigorous physical exercise they maintain during the week.

Researchers split test subjects into two separate groups to perform the study - with one group being instructed to walk at least 10,000 steps per day and exercise three times per week while the other unit formed a control group.

The participants registered improvements in stress levels and anger management, with at least a four per cent improvement on brain function compared to previous measures.

Leading professor Phil Taylor said: "There were improvements in the employees' mood and cognition from both of the groups, with the exercise group surpassing the results of the control group."

These findings could provide the basis of improved leadership development courses, with savvy managers allowing employees to exercise and gain from improved performance levels.