Desk-side push-ups acceptable in the workplace, say Canadians

ParticipACTION celebrates its second annual Sneak It In Week to get Canadians moving

TORONTO, April 8, 2013 /CNW/ - A recent survey commissioned by ParticipACTION has revealed that now is the time to embrace physical activity in the workplace. While only 11 per cent of Canadians participate in desk-side exercise, 64 per cent said they see it as an acceptable workplace habit.

ParticipACTION's second annual Sneak It In Week, which starts on April 8, 2013, encourages Canadian adults to "sneak in" 10 minute increments of exercise throughout their work day and provides the perfect opportunity to start a new trend in offices across the country. Why not lead the pack in your office and encourage your colleagues to get active this week?

"Given how much time we spend at work, it is great to see that attitudes towards workplace exercise are changing," says Kelly Murumets, President and CEO of ParticipACTION. "Now we need to transform those attitudes into actions. By sneaking in short activity breaks during their work day, Canadians will move more and get closer to reaching the recommended physical activity guidelines."

Research supports 10 minute bouts of physical activity as an effective way to increase fitness and meet the recommended 150 minutes of heart-pumping activity per week, as stated in the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines.

"For those of us who work an eight-hour day, 10 minutes represent only two per cent of our total time spent at work," says Murumets. "Adding in a 10 minute activity break is not only good for our physical health, but it also helps heighten mental alertness and productivity - both helpful in the workplace."

98 per cent of Canadians believe physical activity leads to a healthier lifestyle and can decrease risk of disease, but only 15 per cent of Canadian adults are getting enough physical activity.

This week, ParticipACTION is encouraging Canadians to trade in their loafers and heels for running shoes; and their online and phone time for a quick physical activity break. Fitting 10 minutes of physical activity into the work day can be easier than you think and can include activities such as:

• Starting a lunchtime walking group
• Taking the stairs instead of the elevator
• Getting off public transit a few stops early or parking further from the office
• Walking over to speak to a coworker rather than phoning, emailing or messaging them
• Booking a conference room for a power yoga session
• Getting coffee or lunch a few extra blocks away
• Starting a friendly competition with coworkers to see who can sneak in the most 10 minute exercise breaks this week
• Having a walking meeting with colleagues
• Going "power shopping" to get active while running errands
• Doing push-ups or jumping jacks at your desk

Canadians are invited to share how they are sneaking it in this week on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ParticipACTION or via Twitter at #sneakitin.

About Sneak It In Week
ParticipACTION created Sneak It In Week, which runs this year from April 8 to 12, to help encourage Canadians to sneak in daily physical activity breaks.  For more information on Sneak It In Week, or to download free posters, door hangers, desk signs and logos, please visit participACTION.com.

About the survey
From February 27 to March 1, 2013, a total of 2,003 randomly selected adult Canadians were surveyed online, including 1,123 Canadians who are employed full- or part-time. The survey was conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion.

About ParticipACTION
ParticipACTION is the national voice of physical activity and sport participation in Canada. Originally established in 1971, ParticipACTION was re-launched in 2007 to help prevent the looming inactivity crisis that faces Canada. As a national not-for-profit organization solely dedicated to inspiring and supporting healthy and active living for Canadians, it works with its partners, which include sport, physical activity, recreation organizations, government and corporate sponsors, to inspire and support Canadians to move more. ParticipACTION is generously supported by Sport Canada. For more information, visit www.participACTION.com

SOURCE: ParticipACTION