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A study by researchers at University of Tsukuba found that higher daily step counts were associated with improved work performance through reduced stress responses in Japanese workers with remote work arrangements. The findings suggest that increasing walking and overall physical activity may be a practical strategy for reducing stress and enhancing performance among remote workers.

Tsukuba, Japan—Since the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, remote and hybrid work arrangements have become increasingly common. Although these arrangements reduce commuting time and provide greater flexibility, they may also blur boundaries between work and private life, reduce opportunities for spontaneous movement, and increase sedentary time. Moreover, such changes in movement behaviors may influence workers' stress responses and work performance.

To address this issue, this study examined the associations among physical activity, sedentary behavior, stress responses, and work performance in 100 Japanese workers who worked remotely at least 1 day per week. Results revealed that higher daily step counts were substantially associated with lower stress responses, and higher stress responses were associated with lower work performance. Results of mediation analysis (which evaluates indirect pathways in causal relationships) further demonstrated that the daily step count was indirectly associated with work performance through stress responses. Conversely, no indirect associations were observed for light physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, or sedentary behavior. These findings suggest that achieving an adequate amount of daily movement—specifically through walking—may be a more beneficial way to reduce stress responses and improve work performance than simply increasing the amount of physical activity at specific intensity levels.

These results indicate that maintaining sufficient daily step counts may play an important role in influencing stress responses and work performance in remote and hybrid work settings. Therefore, promoting regular movement in daily life is expected to reduce stress and enhance productivity among remote workers.

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This study was supported in part by JST SPRING (JPMJSP2124), JSPS KAKENHI (23H03161), and the Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), University of Tsukuba.

Original Paper

Title of original paper:

Movement behaviors and work performance among Japanese workers with remote work arrangements: the mediating role of stress responses

Journal:

American Journal of Health Promotion

DOI:

10.1177/08901171261454088

Correspondence

Professor NAKATA Yoshio
Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba

Chang Zou
Doctoral Program in Sports Medicine, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba

Professor SHIMAZU Akihito
Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University

Related Link

Institute of Health and Sport Sciences