According to a report from the Department on Aging at Georgetown University, the direct and indirect costs of back pain are $12 billion per year. This includes 83 million days of lost work time. The American Heart Association estimates cardiovascular disease cost $475.3 billion in 2009. As a result, corporations will continue to see an increased financial burden because of preventable injury and illness unless they begin to implement more fitness training programs for workers.
Benefits
Companies with corporate fitness training programs experience an increase in employee productivity and morale while decreasing health care costs. Steelcase Corporation saw medical claims 55 percent lower in employees participating in the corporate fitness program. DuPont measured a 47.5 percent decrease in absenteeism among employees participating in their corporate program. Blue Cross and Blue Shield realized a $2.51 return for each dollar invested.
Program Types
Corporate fitness training can encompass many different options for programs based on a company's specific needs. Choose a program that best targets the needs of your employees. Examine health care costs and reasons for missed workdays to design a fitness program for your firm. For high levels of cardiovascular disease, include programs focused on cardiovascular exercise such as a walking program or group aerobics class. If your employees suffer from low back pain, stress or other chronic pain, provide fitness training based on strength building and flexibility.
Implementation
Once you determine the type of program, start by gaining support, financially and logistically, from senior-level managers and officers. Creating a wellness team helps to promote the program and communicate between employees and managers. Use this team to develop a vision and marketing plan. Provide incentives and inform the employees. As part of your fitness-training effort, create a healthy environment at the workplace by reducing smoking and providing a time for employees to participate in the program.
Measuring Effectiveness
Corporate fitness programs need to have evaluation for effectiveness on a regular basis. Start by distributing surveys to determine how many people take part in the programs and the participant happiness. Use various tools to measure changes in body mass index, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure. Additionally, analyze changes in productivity and absenteeism. From a financial perspective, look at the return on investment.
Expert Insight
Larry Chapman, Senior VP for WebMD Health Services, states that corporate health promotion programs do improve employee health status. Once you make short-term changes, both the company and employee need to work to maintain them for the long term. Examining the financial benefits, both direct and indirect, helps corporations determine where to prioritize to see maximum benefit. Corporate fitness programs have varying degrees of financial cost. The evidence supporting these fitness programs is very positive across the board.
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