Workplaces constantly adapt to new wellness initiatives such as Corporate Cup events, lunchtime yoga sessions, and ‘walk and talk’ meetings to enhance employee physical activity. Recent research by the University of South Australia has uncovered that merely 15 minutes of targeted activity per day can significantly improve an individual’s health when augmented with gamification elements. This study examined the effectiveness of a gamified wellness programme, the ’15 Minute Challenge’, which involved 11,575 employees across 73 companies in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. The findings revealed that 95% of participants met or exceeded the recommended exercise guidelines.
Over six weeks, the challenge resulted in an average increase of 12 minutes in daily physical activity, translating to an additional 85 minutes per week. Typically, participants engaged in 45 minutes of exercise daily. Notable improvements were observed: fitness levels rose by 14%, energy by 12%, overall health by 8%, sleep quality by 8%, and mood by 7.1%. These improvements are particularly significant given the World Health Organization’s recommendation that adults aged 18-64 undertake 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity each week.
Dr Ben Singh, the lead researcher from UniSA, highlighted the effectiveness of the ’15 Minute Challenge’ in bolstering workplace health and wellness. He underscored the broad benefits of regular physical activity, which not only assists in managing and preventing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and cancer but also alleviates symptoms of depression and anxiety. Given that approximately half of the Australian adult population does not meet the recommended levels of physical activity, there is a critical need for workplace wellness programmes like the ’15 Minute Challenge’.
The study’s results underscore the potential of the ’15 Minute Challenge’ to address physical inactivity. The challenge’s unique approach motivates participants to exceed the minimal goals set by the challenge itself, effectively cultivating regular exercise habits. This is particularly beneficial for those who lead sedentary lifestyles. The 15-minute daily target serves as a catalyst, encouraging participants to engage in more extensive physical activity. Many found themselves not only achieving but surpassing national health recommendations, affirming the efficacy of the challenge.
Professor Carol Maher, a co-researcher at UniSA, attributed part of the programme’s success to its gamification elements and the social dynamics promoted through the app. The app encourages team collaboration and accountability via friendly competition, which plays a vital role in motivating participants to remain engaged and connected. Maher stressed that addressing physical inactivity requires a collective effort and that employers who implement effective, enjoyable, and cost-efficient programmes like the ’15 Minute Challenge’ can enjoy dual benefits. These include improved employee health and well-being, as well as enhanced productivity and satisfaction.
Such initiatives not only improve the health and well-being of employees but also enhance their productivity, satisfaction, and stress levels whilst reducing the likelihood of illness. This underscores the importance of sustainable and scalable wellness programmes as essential components of any organisation’s health and wellness strategy, positioning the ’15 Minute Challenge’ as a model for fostering positive change within workplace environments.
More information: Ben Singh et al, Evaluation of the “15 Minute Challenge”: A Workplace Health and Wellbeing Program, Healthcare. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12131255
Journal information: Healthcare Provided by University of South Australia