Current Students and Staff

// University News

29 May 2015

Help reduce sedentary behaviour at work with new Loughborough University franchise

Discover how you can run your own business helping companies boost the health of their employees using proven interventions developed by Loughborough University.

Working life is increasingly sedentary and the UK is facing a sitting epidemic in the workplace. This is a major health problem, as prolonged sitting is a risk factor for a wide range of chronic diseases.

Walking Works Wonders is an evidence based intervention, involving innovative health education designed to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour at work.

The award winning programme has been developed by Professor Cheryl Haslam from the University’s National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine and her team.  It has been tried and tested with a range of organisations around the UK, including BT and Ipswich Borough Council. 

Professor Haslam explains: “The approach recognises that when attempting to change behaviour, one size does not fit all and success is greater when interventions align with people’s beliefs. We are now offering this highly effective intervention to small, medium and large organisations in the public and private sector.”

Once a business or organisation signs up to the scheme its employees are given tailored health information and advice.  Using pedometers and regular one-to-one health checks their progress is then tracked and measured.

The University is now looking to offer Walking Works Wonders as a franchise opportunity.  It is holding two events in June to provide people with information about how the franchise would work.

For your chance to be your own boss and help workers improve their health using research from one of the UK’s leading universities book onto one of the information events.  The first takes place in Loughborough on June 12 and places can be booked here.  The second is being held in London on June 19 and places can be booked here.