The Positive and Negative Organizational Outcomes of Physical Activity

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships between the independent variable physical activity, and the dependent variables burnout, absenteeism, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and job performance. Participants were 211 employees of various organizations who completed the online or paper and pencil version of the survey. Employees were given a measure of exercise, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), a measure of absenteeism, the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ), the Brief Index of Affective Job Satisfaction (BIAJS), and a measure of job performance. The results were more easily interpreted when physical activity, done as part of the job, was examined separately from exercise during leisure time. Results indicated high intensity and time spent on physical activity at work is related to low job satisfaction. Conversely, intense leisure time activity was related to decreased burnout and absenteeism. Employees engaging in a total 250-300 minutes over three to five instances of leisure exercise per week reported being the least burnt out and the least absent. Exploratory analyses indicated that industry type might moderate the relationships between exercise and the other variables.