Influence of workplace exercise on workers’ cognitive performance

INTRODUCTION: Occupational tasks require physical and cognitive efforts. Within this context, workplace exercise seems to be a promising intervention to improve physical capacity. However, little is known about the influence of workplace exercise on cognitive performance. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of workplace exercise on cognitive performance in administrative office workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 16 workers who performed workplace exercise training and 14 workers who did not (control group). The assessments were conducted after 3 months of workplace exercise training (stretching exercises, two to three times/week, 10-15 minutes/day). Physical activity level was assessed with the short form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire, while cognitive performance was assessed using computerized versions of Stroop color-word test and Corsi block-tapping test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in any Stroop test phases or in Stroop interference (349.3 ± 103.52 vs. 416.0 ± 129.7 ms; 5.37 ± 2.11 vs. 10.12 ± 6.55 %error; p > 0.05). No difference was found in Corsi test sequence of blocks (5.50 ± 0.82 vs. 5.57 ± 0.76 blocks) or in the total score (45.19 ± 15.96 vs. 46.93 ± 15.93 points; p > 0.77). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that 12 weeks of workplace exercise training does not improve the cognitive performance of office workers.