Functional work breaks in a high-demanding work environment: an experimental field study

Work breaks are known to have positive effects on employees' health, performance and safety. Using a sample of twelve employees working in a stressful and cognitively demanding working environment, this experimental field study examined how different types of work breaks (boxing, deep relaxatio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ergonomics 2018-02, Vol.61 (2), p.255-264
Main Authors: Scholz, André, Ghadiri, Argang, Singh, Usha, Wendsche, Johannes, Peters, Theo, Schneider, Stefan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brain
Cognitive ability
Cognitive performance
Cortex
EEG
Electroencephalography
Employees
exercise
Experimental design
Field study
Mood
Motion detection
Motion perception
Occupational health
recovery
Recovery (Medical)
relaxation
Space life sciences
Work breaks
Working conditions
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Summary:Work breaks are known to have positive effects on employees' health, performance and safety. Using a sample of twelve employees working in a stressful and cognitively demanding working environment, this experimental field study examined how different types of work breaks (boxing, deep relaxation and usual breaks) affect participants' mood, cognitive performance and neurophysiological state compared to a control condition without any break. In a repeated measures experimental design, cognitive performance was assessed using an auditory oddball test and a Movement Detection Test. Brain cortical activity was recorded using electroencephalography. Individual's mood was analysed using a profile of mood state. Although neurophysiological data showed improved relaxation of cortical state after boxing (vs. 'no break' and 'deep relaxation'), neither performance nor mood assessment showed similar results. It remains questionable whether there is a universal work break type that has beneficial effects for all individuals. Practitioner Summary: Research on work breaks and their positive effects on employees' health and performance often disregards break activities. This experimental field study in a stressful working environment investigated the effect of different work break activities. A universal work break type that is beneficial for this workplace could not be identified.
ISSN:0014-0139
1366-5847
DOI:10.1080/00140139.2017.1349938