Physical Challenge Interventions and the Development of Transferable Skills for the Workplace: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This study presents a systematic review and meta-analysis synthesising the existing research on the effectiveness of interventions featuring physical challenges for developing transferable skills and psychological health outcomes. Results from 47 independent samples across 44 studies revealed that the overall proximal effects of the interventions were medium ( g = 0.51) and that effects gradually diminished over time ( g = 0.39). Analyses across individual outcomes revealed interventions positively influenced interpersonal ( g = 0.55), intrapersonal ( g = 0.53), and cognitive skills ( g = 0.53), as well as psychological health outcomes ( g = 0.56). Moderator analyses indicate interventions can be potentially beneficial irrespective of design and participants involved. However, the current state of the literature does not truly allow for thorough conclusions to be made regarding the appropriateness and effectiveness of physical challenge interventions for organizational settings.