Employees need regular work breaks

Research conducted among employees reveals 70% of office workers want their employer to support them in taking regular breaks for the sake of their health. 79% of the UK?s workforce most in agreement with this are aged 18-34, according to a study conducted by YouGov on behalf of Power Plate FitStop, from Performance Health Systems (PHS).

The statistics show that:
? 73% sit at their desk for two to six hours without a break
? 62% experience discomfort at work from prolonged sitting

Solution to the problem
60% of employees believe a short, five-minute break could have a positive impact on their work and help relieve aches and pains. General Practitioner Dr Hilary Jones says they are absolutely right. ?A brief break will get your circulation going, release tension in your neck, shoulders and back and boost blood flow to your legs to avoid ?numb bum? and the tingling feeling we know as pins and needles.?

Active people are at risk too
What many people don?t realise is active individuals who regularly exercise are also at risk from the negative effects of sedentary behaviour. Chris Brown, Head of Corporate Wellness, Elderly Care and Medical markets at PHS explains: ?Electrical nerve activity in the leg muscles shuts off, calorie burn drops to one per minute, enzymes that break down fat drop by 90% and circulation and blood flow are restricted to the lower body.?

Big businesses lead the way
Nuffield Health has introduced PHS?s FitStop into the Microsoft UK head office, while Sainsbury?s and BSkyB successfully followed a similar Power Plate programme as part of the FitStop development pilot. BSkyB bought the trial equipment and committed to roll out the programme more widely and after six months, Sainsbury?s reported:
? 37% decrease in levels of sedentary behavior
? 70% increase in people who took no sick leave
? 88% increase in people feeling more energetic
? 67% of employees feeling less stressed