Increasing Walking During the Work Day

According to Canada’s NEW Physical Activity Guidelines, adults should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each week in bouts of 10 minutes or more (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, January 2011). 

Walking is a type of physical activity that most people can do regardless of age, gender, culture or fitness level and it can be done almost anywhere, anytime.  In fact, walking is the most popular form of physical activity in Canada with an estimated 70% of adults walking on a regular basis during their leisure time in 2008. (Stats Canada, 2010) However, walking does not need to occur only during non-working hours. Extra steps can be added during the work day by

·         Using the stairs instead of elevators or escalators
·         Having “walking meetings”
·         Moving printers and copiers away from desk areas
·         Parking further away from the office door
·         Using active transportation to get to and from work
·         Walking at break time or during lunch

Pedometers can help employees discover how many steps they take. In addition, recording and tracking their daily step counts can help motivate employees to increase the number of steps they take thereby increasing their level of physical activity.

Project Health has recently expanded the number of pedometer kits available for loan to workplaces in Waterloo Region. These kits are useful if you are planning a contest or challenge that involves physical activity.  Each pedometer kit contains 36 pedometers, instructions on how to use the pedometers and additional information on how workplaces can support employees to be more active.

To borrow a pedometer kit for your next challenge event, contact the Public Health Resource Centre at 519-883-2256. Since these kits are quite popular, try to reserve a kit well in advance of your event.

If you would like more information on workplace walking and the use of pedometers, please contact Annette Collins, RN, Public Health Nurse, Region of Waterloo Public Health at 519-883-2000, ext 5343.

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