Discussion paper

Scand J Work Environ Health 2019;45(1):90-97    pdf full text

https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3754 | Published online: 18 Jul 2018, Issue date: 01 Jan 2019

Promoting health and physical capacity during productive work: the Goldilocks Principle

by Holtermann A, Mathiassen SE, Straker L

Objectives In spite of preventive efforts, organizations and employees face several challenges related to working life and occupational health, such as a substantial prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, social inequality in health and physical capacity, multi-morbidity, an obesity epidemic and an aging workforce. We argue that a new approach to occupational ergonomics and health is required, going beyond prevention of harm caused by work. We propose the "Goldilocks Principle" for how productive work can be designed to promote health and physical capacity.

Methods Physical (in)activity profoundly influences health and physical capacity, with effects depending on the extent and temporal structure of the (in)activity. Like the porridge, chair and bed that needed to be "just right" for Goldilocks in the The Three Bears fairytale, physical activity during productive work needs to be "just right" for promoting rather than deteriorating health and capacity. In many jobs, physical activity is, however, either too much/high/frequent or too little/low/infrequent to give positive biomechanical and cardiometabolic stimuli.

Results This paper presents the rationale, concept, development, application and prospects of the Goldilocks Principle for how productive work can be designed to promote health and physical capacity.

Conclusions We envision a great potential to promote health and physical capacity by designing productive work according to the Goldilocks Principle, thus leading to benefits with respect to the current challenges related to working life and occupational health for society, organizations and employees.

This article refers to the following texts of the Journal: 2017;43(6):526-539  2017;43(1):24-33  2015;41(2):140-152  2010;36(5):357-365  1984;10(6):403-408
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