To gather the data needed, researchers measured the fitness levels of nearly 200 Swedish employees using the bicycle ergometer test. Fiftyone percent of the respondents were male and were 39 years of age, on average. Researchers also measured cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol, triglycerides and glycated hemoglobin. To measure stress levels, respondents were asked about their self-perceived stress.

The results— published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise— indicate that psychosocial stress, which is accompanied by impaired mental well-being, is one of the key factors that may lead to illness-related absences from work. This could also increase cardiovascular risks.

The findings clearly show the relationship between self-perceived stress and cardiovascular risk factors. For instance, among stressed employees, the LDL cholesterol values exceeded the clinically relevant limit in employees with a low fitness level, compared to those with a high fitness level.

Share this information with your staff to help encourage them to stay physically fit. Likewise, consider creating programs that would motivate them to stay active, such as offering incentives to those who can register the most number of steps using a company-provided pedometer or organizing company-wide fitness or hiking events. n

January / February 2017 ■ PULSE 15