Can physical activity reduce work-related stress interventions: What do we know?

Work-related stress (WRS) has reached critical levels with the related costs being felt at individual, organisational and national levels. Although physical activity (PA) is associated with positive physical, psychological and cognitive outcomes, little is known about the direct and indirect effects of PA in alleviating WRS and potential savings. A recent meta-analysis (Richardson and Rothstein, 2008) concluded that cognitive behavioural therapy is more effective than PA for managing WRS. However, this conclusion was based on only 4 of 55 interventions using PA. Recent neurological evidence suggests that PA may have a powerful role in managing WRS. To progress this area, a new review will examine emerging evidence and propose an innovative methodology to build on previous recommendations. Previous research analysing the effects of PA on WRS has consistently failed to consider multidisciplinary nature of stress and has found interventions are often prescriptive and insufficiently underpinned by theoretical frameworks.