Walk and Work Initiative

Contact Information

CHBS (College of Health and Behavioral Studies)

Description

The Walk and Work Initiative for faculty and staff began in the Fall of 2010. A room on the second floor of the Health and Human Services building was equipped with two walk workstations with computers. The walking workstation is a slow paced treadmill with a desk attached. Treadmill speeds can be selected in the range from 0.3 up to two miles an hour. The walking workstation concept was influenced by Dr. James Levine from the Mayo Clinic to increase nonexercise activity thermogenesis. Nonexercise activity thermogenesis also known as NEAT, is the energy expended for everything that is not sleeping, eating, or sports-like exercise. Increasing NEAT was reported in a study by Levine (2007) to increase the amount of calories expended by 100kcal/hour. An increase in NEAT can alter energy balance, thus increasing energy expended. The proposed mechanism or basic concept behind NEAT is to engage in low intensity activity that expends calories but does not stimulate appetite hormones. A recently completed thesis by HAP graduate student Tracey Lytle, found that after 8 weeks of use, the walking workstation did not hinder work productivity. Additionally, it was suggested that if workstation use was consistent and long term, the walking workstation has the potential to improve important physiological indices.

Web Presence

http://www.healthsci.jmu.edu/hap/outreach.html

Involvement

Involves Faculty, Involves Staff

Date

Ongoing (began 2010)

Frequency

Ongoing (Currently in existence, year round)

Primary Focus of Program

Health and Healthcare

Areas of Engagement

Engaged Learning

Format

Program

On/Off campus

On campus