Effects of Long-term Corporate Fitness Program on Employees' Health

Abstract

The higher average age of employees, due to the advancement of the compulsory retirement age, and their sedentary lifestyle in automated environments, have become important issues in the workplace, as witnessed in increased incidence of adult disease and decreased physical fitness levels. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a long-term corporate fitness program in helping employees to stay well. The fitness program consisted of medical checkups, physical fitness tests, and a physical training program, given on an individual basis. The medical checkups and physical fitness tests were evaluated in 1499 male employees, with the following results. 1) The incidence of obesity showed no significant change. 2) There were no significant changes in total cholesterol levels nor in the incidence of hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia. 3) Physical fitness was markedly improved. 4) There was a decrease in the percentage of smokers. These results suggest that a long-term corporate fitness program is effective for improving the health and fitness levels of employees and for preventing the progression of adult disease.