Fitness, in vocational psychology dictionary

home > library > dictionary > fitness
Dictionary of Vocational Psychology

Fitness

Fitness, strength, and endurance may have associations vocational choice and performance. People in some occupations are more fit than those in other occupations, or stronger, or in better cardiovascular shape. For example, many professional athletes must approach theoretical maxima in all three dimensions. Many computer programmers or other information society workers, sitting all day (often for long days) in front of terminals, and perhaps eating chips and drinking sugared sodas, may approach the theoretical minima. Carpal tunnel syndrome is rampant among such workers, along with many other physical ailments. Occupational health psychologists tend to concern themselves with such issues, although most counseling and vocational psychologists have not.

It is worth considering whether an individual's vocational problems, particularly those that appear to be stress-related, might be addressed in large measure by simply improving the individual's physical fitness, say through a regular exercise program. Some firms, especially in Japan, require all workers to complete group exercises and calesthenics in the morning before starting the work day.

If organizational productivity is related to the physical fitness of workers, then the organization would do well to go right to the top and ensure that its executives also engage in a regular program of fitness training. This would require a substantial change of behavior on the part of many executives. It might also require a redesign of the workplace; it would be easier to support better fitness of workers if exercise facilties were either on-site (in the case or large organizations) or in close proximity to the workplace, say, through a neighboring gym or sports club.

However, most firms are reluctant to spend money on the physical well-being of workers whom they may view as disloyal and only too ready to jump to a rival company, even when one demonstrates that better physical fitness results in better mental health, less stress, better morale, and improved productivity.

References