More and more people have stress-related mental illness due to a stressful life situation and work environment. Research shows that a physically active life promotes brain health. However, the knowledge gaps are still significant.
- We do not know which activity pattern best benefits our thinking ability and mental well-being, but this extensive research project will answer those questions. The goal is for both employers and employees to understand how physical activity can be used as a tool to promote healthy brain functions in this respect, says research leader Maria Ekblom, associate professor at GIH.
New legal requirements
The Swedish Work Environment Authority has issued new regulations on organizational and social work environment (AFS 2015: 14) which entered into force on 31 March 2016. The regulations set requirements for the employer's knowledge and goals regarding organizational and social work environment and regulate workload, working hours and abusive discrimination.
Previous research has shown that physically active individuals feel better and have better thinking abilities than less active ones. Still, it is unclear which components of our physical movement pattern are essential for strengthening mental health, cognitive functions (thinking ability), and what mechanisms support these. It is also unclear which pattern of activity is desirable.
GIH wants to contribute with useful knowledge
Well-educated and well-functioning employees are today the most important asset of many employers. High demands both at work and at home make it difficult for employees to adopt and maintain a physically active lifestyle in many cases. It is therefore also crucial that the research results lead to useful knowledge.
In this four-year project, new objective measurement methods will be used, which will make it possible to get a more detailed picture of the activity pattern and knowledge that can be put into practice.
The term "physical activity pattern" includes how often and for how long an individual sits, engages in low-intensity activities or more intense activities such as exercise during a day. Carefully studying this pattern is one of several unique aspects of this series of studies.
- This is an opportunity for GIH to contribute through its research to reducing stress-related ill health in our workplaces and in people's lives, says Karin Larsén, former principal at GIH.
Financing of the project
The research project comprises approximately SEK 38 million. It is co-financed by Intrum Justitia Sverige AB, ICA Gruppen AB, Itrim Sverige AB, SATS ELIXIA, Monark Exercise AB, GIH and the Knowledge and Competence Foundation. The Knowledge Foundation's task is to promote growth in Swedish business and industry by co-financing research in co-production between universities and companies.
The motives for the participating companies are partly the opportunity to shape evidence-based, health-promoting working methods in HR and develop new services and products in a growth market both nationally and internationally.
The companies' representatives form a strategic and working team together with the researchers. Here, the entire team is gathered for reporting and planning at GIH.
Top row from the left Ann Hennicks, ICA, Lena Kallings, GIH, Victoria Blom, GIH, Carla Nooijen, GIH, Karin Thörn, ICA, Anna Eliasson, Itrim, Anna Hjort, Itrim, Linda Skånman, Intrum, Louise Ekström, GIH and Camilla Fröberg, ICA.
Bottom row from the left Rakel Segefalk, Intrum, Maria Ekblom, GIH, Emerald Heiland, GIH, Maja Thermaenius, SATS, Mikael Swaren, Monarch and Karin Ulfsdotter Crépin, GIH.
Evidence-based work
Evidence-based health promotion work increases the opportunity to comply with the Swedish Work Environment Authority's new regulations, emphasizing that the employer is responsible for the organizational and psychosocial work environment. 
- It feels great to be a part of this important research project, so we get the opportunity to investigate which health initiatives make a difference. This is important for all companies that want to take responsibility and live up to the rules and guidelines that govern our work environment work, says Rakel Segefalk, HR manager at Intrum Justitia.
- We are happy to be a part of this exciting project that is entirely in line with ICA's investments in health and community involvement. It will be interesting to take part in what you come up with, and further look at what we can do to influence how we feel and perform in our work environment to continue to be an attractive employer, says Ann Hennicks, HR manager at ICA Sweden.
- Increased physical activity in the workplace has not received the attention it deserves in its work for better public health and is also an underestimated factor in the work environment. This may, to some extent, be due to the knowledge ps that exist about how the employer can promote physical activity to benefit both health and productivity. Particularly important to look at are effects on mental health and mental abilities. It is gratifying that the employers are involved in the construction of knowledge and see direct benefits from the work, says Johan Carlson, Director General of the Swedish Public Health Agency.