Study of 11,000 Workers Backs 5-Minute Hourly Walks to Lift Productivity
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 23
Study of 11,000 Workers Backs 5-Minute Hourly Walks to Lift Productivity
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 23
Summary
A Columbia University study of more than 11,000 U.S. employees found that a five-minute walk every hour delivered the best balance of higher productivity, mood and alertness during eight- to nine-hour work shifts.
Researchers compared workers' normal routines with walking breaks every 30 minutes, every hour and every two hours over three weeks; hourly breaks beat the alternatives because half-hour walks felt disruptive and two-hour breaks helped less.
Keith Diaz said adults now spend about three-quarters of waking hours sedentary, and argued that short “movement snacks” can improve attention, memory and executive function rather than hurt performance.
The findings add practical guidance to broad advice to sit less and move more, though the British Heart Foundation said the short-term, self-reported study still needs longer follow-up to confirm heart-health benefits.