Health, Fitness and Wellbeing Profile

The Health, Fitness and Wellbeing profile provides people with a very good idea of how well the various systems of the body are functioning, particularly the

•      the mind

•      autonomic nervous system

•      immune system

•      digestive system

•      circulatory system

•      elimination system

•      musculo-skeletal system.

On this profile a good score is a low score.

The score of a normal, fit and healthy human being is less than 20. Higher scores are symptomatic of dysfunction of one or more body systems. People with low levels of fitness and high levels of stress usually score well over 100.

For people with a score of more than 80, the ‘background noise’ of their life is becoming louder and louder. It is hard to concentrate on your work when body systems are dysfunctional. We know a fit and healthy group when we see the majority of scores below 40. This was not the case with this group.

By and large higher scores are usually a reflection of

• low levels of fitness

• an inability to deal with what life and work are serving up to people.

Remember, it is not what happens, but how we deal with what happens that determines our level of stress. 

Classification of average scores: Excellent - less than 40. Good - 41 - 50. Reasonable 51-60. Poor - over 60.

This profile is described as poor, but definitely nowhere as poor as many of the groups we survey. The average score was 64. Anyone scoring more than 80 is putting up with a lot of 'background noise'. The redeeming feature of the assessment is that most people can halve their score within three months, if they embark on a vigorous aerobic exercise, strength and flexibility training program and lay off the garbohydrates (yep, that's a 'g' not a 'c'.

Health Climate Survey

Based on scores received in the Health, Fitness and Wellbeing profile we've compiled a Health Climate Survey. Scores on each item have ranked - the higher the score the worse the problem. We added the scores for each item. The results appear in the table below.

As usual, musculo-skeletal dysfunction, lack of general fitness and obesity feature at the top of the list.

A pleasing result is the low number of people who said they were under-appreciated at work.

Musculo-skeletal Risk factor Profile

The musculo-skeletal risk factor profile looked at a range of parameters including mobility, strength and flexibility and whether people are training to keep themselves strong and flexible. The musculo-skeletal risk factor profile is comprised of the following test items:

• Current musculo-skeletal condition

• Closeness to ideal weight

• leg strength

• Abdominal strength test

• Upper body strength test

• Flexibility

• Ability to sit up straight with legs crossed

• Shoulder function

• Strength training behaviour

• Flexibility training behaviour.

The 'pass mark' for each individual t4est item is 7/10. The 'pass mark' for the test overall is 70/100.

A score of 70% is attainable by those who have a regular and systematic training program.

Those scoring less than 70 are not doing sufficient in the way of strength and flexibility exercises. They are therefore exposing themselves to a high risk of musculo-skeletal dysfunction. (It would be bizarre for a workplace to offer to pay the rehabilitation costs of people who were not keeping themselves strong enough or flexible enough to do their job without succumbing to musculo-skeletal dysfunction, wouldn't it?)

   

	A high proportion (anyone scoring less than 6 out of 10) of people are experiencing constant pain and discomfort. In a corporate setting we'd recommend that those scoring less the 5 need to be required attend a prehab/rehab program, for their own benefit and that of the organisation.		As a rough estimate, around 50% of people were 10Kg over weight. Being over weight is a significant risk factor in the development of joint and muscle pain.
	With 2 exceptions, leg strength was good.		Abdominal strength was fair.  30% of people failed the test. Z crook back is highly correlated with weak muscles on the front side of the body.
	Around 50% of people failed this test. One of the best predictors of risk of lower back pain is the ability to do pressups.		This is a good result. Only 3 people couldn't touch their toes. Lower back pain goes with poor hamstring flexibility.
	This is not a good result. The risk of lower back pain is high. 30% of people couldn't sit up straight with their legs crossed and hands clasped behind their back, without falling over. A major cause of lower back pain is tight buttock muscles.		On the whole 'not bad' but around 30% of people failed the test.
	This test recorded the ability of people to take their heels over their head. A score of 10/10 signified people could put their toes on the floor behind them.		With a couple of exceptions, shoulder function was very good. Poor shoulder function can usually be restored to good with an intensive strength and flexibility training program.
Average score: 61. Not a bad result. This graph show why some people are experiencing pain.   Too many people do not have the strength and flexibility training program needed to keep their musculo-skeletal system in good condition. There is a strong case of the group to implement an obligatory strength and flexibility program for those who scored less than 60 in this profile.   We recommend   1.  specialist prehab and rehab sessions for those at serious risk and those already dysfunctional and on compo   2.  daily strength and flexibility sessions in the workplace for everyone.