For 20 years, Kiilto has offered annual voluntary fitness tests to its Finnish employees.
The idea took root in the early 2000s, when discussions were held with occupational health services about the need to make employees more aware of the impact of health and fitness on their work ability and general wellbeing. From the employer's point of view, the hope was to reduce sickness absences. Inspired by these discussions, the first bicycle ergometer fitness tests were organised for Kiilto’s employees in Lempäälä, Finland, in 2005. The tradition has continued ever since and has been extended to the other Kiilto Family Group companies in Finland. From the outset, the company has offered a financial incentive to participate in fitness tests. Now, all participants receive an additional €140 for their fitness, cultural and wellbeing ePassi benefits each year.
While the average staff fitness index was 4.2 when the tests started twenty years ago, it is now 5.1 (on a scale of 1-7). In the first year, 51% of the employees took part in the tests; now the average is around 85%. How did we manage to achieve this?
Workplace culture that supports exercise motivates staff
"At Kiilto, we have been able to create a fitness-friendly atmosphere in the work community. We have succeeded in raising employees’ awareness of the importance of good physical fitness for their work ability and to have energy also after the working day. Fitness tests have provided employees with information about the effects of exercise, while also increasing their understanding of how they can improve their physical fitness”, says Kirsi Myötyri, occupational physiotherapist in Lempäälä, who has performed the fitness tests since the beginning.
New Kiilto employees take a fitness test in connection with their initial health examination. "Fitness testing and an exercise-friendly culture are also good motivators for new employees. If the result of the test conducted during the initial health check is poor, the employee’s fitness level usually improves by the following year”, notes Kirsi.
Towards an active lifestyle
As the number of participants grows, also inactive people will take part, and some of them will always be inspired to get fitter. "We also want to inspire people who are less fit to take part in fitness tests. Our biggest successes are when a person finds a joy of exercise and adopts a more active lifestyle. We have several success stories with 'couch potatoes’ turning into runners of half marathons”, says Tiina Niemi, Communications & Wellbeing Specialist at Kiilto. "And less than that is enough. Our goal is to ensure that our employees get enough exercise to stay healthy and feel well”, Tiina continues.
"For those who are less fit, raising their level of fitness from low to medium is a much more significant step in terms of health than going from medium level to top level. Improvements in fitness on that scale have a significant impact on coping at work. A poor result often motivates employees to improve, while a good result motivates people to continue and maintain their fitness level. Regular monitoring is key to encouraging continuity”, says Paula Paavola, occupational physiotherapist from Turku. Kiilto offers its employees a variety of exercising opportunities that enable them to maintain and develop their physical fitness.
Cycling tests measure aerobic fitness
Bicycle ergometer tests measure aerobic fitness, such as the maximum rate of oxygen consumption (VO₂max). The test involves 12 minutes of pedalling with the resistance increasing incrementally. The test provides information on endurance levels and areas for development, and the occupational health service uses it to assess physical workload and recovery. Bicycle ergometer tests are also suitable for planning and monitoring exercise programmes.
Each year, the tests have revealed some underlying issues, which have led to the person being referred for further medical examinations. Even serious heart problems have been caught. "Bicycle tests are a good way to assess the wellbeing of employees annually. In addition to physical fitness, overloading of the nervous system caused by mental stress may also show in the test as a reduced performance, which is also important information for monitoring overall wellbeing”, says Paula Paavola.
"There is now more discussion about whether companies should do more to assess the physical fitness of their employees. Kiilto has been a pioneer and trendsetter in this respect for the past twenty years”, says Kirsi Myötyri.