With an ageing workforce and rising cases of chronic illnesses such as stress and musculoskeletal conditions, businesses are facing challenges that impact productivity, absenteeism, and healthcare costs. Workplace health assessments play an important role in early detection of health issues and have been found to be effective for reducing incidence of cancer and diabetes, and for improving employee mental health.
But one key area that is often overlooked in workplace health initiatives is cardiorespiratory fitness—a crucial measure of overall health and longevity. Most workplace health screenings don’t include this important factor due to logistical barriers and the inconvenience of exercise-based testing; who wants to get sweaty in an office health screening?
Why should businesses care about cardio fitness?
Fitness levels are a stronger predictor of cardiovascular disease and mortality than traditional health risk factors like BMI or blood pressure. Poor cardiorespiratory fitness has been linked to increased risks of heart disease, cancer, and even cognitive decline. Employees with low cardio fitness are not only at a higher risk of chronic illness but may also experience reduced energy, focus, and mental resilience—ultimately affecting their performance at work.
On the flip side, higher cardio fitness levels correlate with better memory, executive function, and motor skills, making it a key driver of productivity. Businesses that invest in improving their employees’ fitness see long-term benefits, including reduced absenteeism, lower healthcare costs, and a more engaged workforce.
Rethinking workplace health assessments
Traditionally, measuring cardio fitness requires specialised equipment, trained practitioners, and strenuous physical effort—barriers that make it difficult to implement in a workplace setting. Recent advancements in health technology, such as seismocardiography (SCG), could offer a simple and safe route to fitness testing with minimal inconvenience. This non-invasive method measures cardiac vibrations to estimate VO2 max (maximal oxygen consumption, a standard predictive measure of cardio fitness) without requiring employees to engage in strenuous exercise. Our recent study found that SCG was more widely accepted by employees than traditional exercise-based tests, making it a practical solution for workplace health screenings.
The role of businesses in supporting employee fitness
While fitness assessments are important, they must be complemented by access to exercise opportunities. Employing organisations should consider:
- Providing on-site or subsidised gym access
- Incorporating movement into the workday, such as walking meetings, standing desks, and encouraging use of the stairs
- Organising fitness challenges or group exercise sessions
- Offering flexible working hours to encourage physical activity outside of work.
These initiatives will not only improve employees’ physical health but also foster a culture of wellbeing, increasing morale and overall job satisfaction.
Moving towards a healthier workplace
The evidence is clear: investing in cardiorespiratory fitness is a win-win for both employees and businesses. By integrating accessible cardio fitness assessments and providing opportunities for exercise, organisations can create a workplace where employees thrive physically and mentally, leading to improved performance, reduced health costs, and a more resilient workforce. For businesses looking to take their well-being strategies to the next level, prioritising fitness is a step in the right direction.
Our new study, conducted in collaboration with the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, study explored the use of novel fitness assessment techniques in workplace wellness programmes. Read the paper here.