The Effects of Walking While Working on Productivity and Health: A Field Experiment

Document de Treball núm.12/7

47 Pages Posted: 12 Jan 2015

See all articles by Avner Ben-Ner

Avner Ben-Ner

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Carlson School of Management

Darla Paulson

University of Texas at Arlington

Gabriel Koepp

Mayo Clinic - College of Medicine and Science

James Levine

Mayo Clinic - College of Medicine and Science

Date Written: May 2, 2012

Abstract

Lack of physical activity can cause health problems and diminish organizational productivity. We conducted a 12-months long field experiment in a financial services company to study the effects of slow-moving treadmills outfitted for office work on employee productivity and health. 43 sedentary volunteers were assigned randomly to two groups to receive treadmill workstations 7 months apart. Employees could opt at will for standard chair-desk arrangement. Biometric measurements were taken quarterly and weekly online performance surveys were administered to study participants and to more than 200 non-participants and their supervisors.

In this study we explore three questions concerning the effects of the introduction of treadmills in the workplace. (1) Does it improve overall physical activity? (2) Does it improve health measures? (3) Does it improve performance?

The answers are as follows. (1) Yes (net effect of almost half an hour a day). (2) Yes (small gains, one minor decline). (3) No and yes (initial decline followed by increase to recover to initial level within one year) – based on weekly employee self reports.

Suggested Citation

Ben-Ner, Avner and Paulson, Darla and Koepp, Gabriel and Levine, James, The Effects of Walking While Working on Productivity and Health: A Field Experiment (May 2, 2012). Document de Treball núm.12/7, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2547437 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2547437

Avner Ben-Ner (Contact Author)

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Carlson School of Management ( email )

19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States

Darla Paulson

University of Texas at Arlington ( email )

415 S West St Apt no 205
Arlington, TX 76019
United States

Gabriel Koepp

Mayo Clinic - College of Medicine and Science ( email )

200 First Street S.W
Rochester, MN 55905
United States

James Levine

Mayo Clinic - College of Medicine and Science ( email )

200 First Street S.W
Rochester, MN 55905
United States

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