The Positive Effects of Regular Physical Activity for Individuals and Employers

Regular physical activity delivers benefits far beyond fitness and personal wellbeing. Research shows it can also improve workplace performance, reduce stress, and generate measurable productivity gains. For employers, encouraging movement at work is not just good for health, it’s good for business.

Australian research highlights the benefits of activity 

A study conducted in Australia by Professor Paul Taylor at Swinburne University’s Brain Institute found that regular physical activity delivers measurable benefits for both individuals and companies. The clinical trial looked at office-based employees who increased their daily steps from an average of 2,000–3,000 to 10,000. The results were striking. Participants reported improved energy levels, greater alertness, and better management of stress and anger.

When vigorous exercise was added a few times per week, the outcomes were even more pronounced. Brain function improved by 4 percent, highlighting how movement enhances not just physical health but also cognitive performance.

Productivity gains linked to exercise

The benefits were not limited to individuals. Using the Harvard University Productivity Questionnaire, researchers calculated that each member of the exercise group delivered an additional AUD 2,500 in productivity per year. For organisations, this finding reinforces the strong link between employee health and business performance. Small changes in physical activity habits can translate into meaningful financial returns when multiplied across a workforce.

Executive Health Solutions by Altius reinforces this connection in the Executive Health Index™ 2024, which shows that specific health risks have a measurable impact on performance. The data links:

• Inactivity to a 7% productivity loss
• Stress, anxiety and depression to a 13% productivity loss
• Poor sleep quality to a 30% productivity loss

Why workplaces should encourage movement

The message is clear: workplaces that support physical activity have healthier, happier, and more engaged employees. For companies, that means fewer sick days, stronger performance, and improved talent retention. Practical steps to encourage more movement include:

• Providing suitable change-room and shower facilities so employees can walk, run, or cycle to work
• Offering flexible hours to allow time for exercise before or after the working day
• Ensuring visible leadership support, where senior staff model healthy behaviours
• Introducing structured health programs that engage non-exercisers and provide motivation to start 

The role of Executive Health Solutions by Altius

Executive Health Solutions by Altius specialises in identifying the health risk factors that impact workplace performance, including inactivity, stress, and poor sleep. Through comprehensive assessments and tailored recommendations, EHS helps organisations support the wellbeing of their leaders and teams. Encouraging physical activity is one of the most effective ways employers can reduce health risks and improve long-term outcomes.  

The bottom line

Regular physical activity enhances brain function, improves energy, reduces stress, and generates tangible productivity benefits. For employers, the case is compelling: by fostering a culture that supports movement, companies gain healthier, more resilient employees and stronger business performance. Partnering with experts such as Executive Health Solutions by Altius ensures that workplace health strategies are evidence-based, measurable, and aligned to organisational goals.