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