The effects of a two-minute original exercise program supported by the workplace unit on the workers’ work engagement: the “Bipoji” exercise

[Purpose] This study examined whether workplace support of an exercise program would increase the workers’ engagement. [Participants and Methods] Employees at two facilities of the Kyoto Industrial Health Association (the Uji branch and the headquarters) were recruited. A survey of 238 employees was conducted. A seminar was held, at the facilities, about the “Bipoji” exercise program and afterward the participants underwent different procedures. The Uji branch (the support group) supported the continuation of the program for two months. At the headquarters (the control group), the individual decided whether to continue the program. Data were collected at the time of the seminar (the baseline) and two months later. A questionnaire measured work engagement using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. [Results] At the follow-up, data were collected from 65 people (60.2%) from the support group and 97 people (74.6%) from the control group. The average change in the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale scores was 1.7 and −1.2, for the support group and the control group, respectively. When adjusted for background factors, the change was 1.6 and −1.2, for the support group and the control group, respectively. This indicates a significant increase in work engagement for the support group. [Conclusion] These results suggest that a workplace exercise program can improve work engagement.