Staying active at work not only improves health, it also increases productivity. The WHO goes further stating that lack of exercise increases the risk of mortality. In this interview, Jagoba GomezHead of the San Prudencio Joint Prevention Service, explains how small daily actions can make a difference in physical well-beingin addition to sharing practical tips to prevent injuries and improve work performance.
What specific measures would you recommend so that workers stay active during their workday?
Depending on the tasks we perform, it can be difficult to stay physically active due to the characteristics of the work content. It is interesting to alternate tasks that allow us to move the body. For example, receiving a phone call can be used to get up or walk, or having the printer away from the workplace also helps us have to move. Performing simple stretching exercises at the beginning of the day and at subsequent times throughout it has been shown to help a lot to keep us in good musculoskeletal condition.. The difficult thing is to get used to it.
What types of common pathologies can we prevent?
Any musculoskeletal pathology that has to do with work performance in general can be prevented with good working conditions.. A good ergonomic study of the position, correct postural hygiene or an adequate design of equipment and workplaces are decisive in preventing musculoskeletal disorders, in addition to good health surveillance by the prevention service.
How does the incorporation of exercises affect the productivity and well-being of workers?
We all know that Exercising results in improved people’s health. If we promote actions to improve physical health in the company, this will result in a lower risk of that health breaking down. and, therefore, damage occurs that generates sick leave. Special mention should be made of the positive impact it has among the older population. Aging has a deteriorating effect that is natural and inevitable and that can be cushioned with physical exercise.
What are the biggest challenges companies face when implementing fitness programs?
I am clear that the main challenge is not to implement them, which is relatively simple once decided, the really complicated thing is to maintain them over time. I know of many initiatives in companies that, without much time passing, are part of the history of “what could have been and was not.” There is a powerful cultural component that makes us resistant to carrying out certain activities in the office in view of everyone, for example. We must continue teaching the importance of staying healthy and incorporating physical activity into our habits..
We must continue teaching the importance of staying healthy and incorporating physical activity into our habits.
Sedentary and physical jobs require different approaches, how do Nordic Klinika programs adapt?
Obviously the needs are different in many cases. In Nordic Klinikaall treatments are personalized. Depending on the anthropometric characteristics of the person, in addition to gender, age and other parameters, such as the tasks performed in the workplace, the appropriate exercises and devices are prescribed to improve the strength and mobility of the groups. muscles of interest. We can measure improvement objectively, with quantitative data. This generates a positive effect since session by session the worker sees how he or she improves and serves as an incentive.
How are these needs evaluated?
We have a team of physiotherapists who, before starting treatment, carry out a functional musculoskeletal diagnosis with high-tech medical devices. that we have, after anamnesis, that allows us to determine exactly what the physical state of the person is, where they are well and where there are deficits and where they must go to be in an optimal state. From there, the exercises are scheduled session by session. In all of them we measure the improvement in strength and mobility that is gained in the different muscle groups with the aim of reaching the situation that is set as an objective.
Workers and companies benefit…
With the current problems we have in the health system I always say that It seems like a luxury to me that the company makes tools or services available to you that encourage your health to improve. This positively impacts the company’s image, performance and productivity..