Developing an employee cardiovascular fitness program

Employee fitness programs, which have become increasingly popular in industrial settings, particularly over the past decade, are now also gaining favour in the hospital environment. Whereas employers are interested in the positive relationships between physical fitness, absenteeism and work performance, employees, as a result of participation in fitness activities, enjoy a more positive outlook on life. This paper discusses several points which might be considered during the development of a fitness program for employees, such as: persuading administrators of the need; generating employee interest; pre-testing participants; and actual program planning. The organization of the program -- it frequency and duration, and the warm-up, training and cool-down periods -- is also outlined.