It’s a fact of modern office life that most employees don’t move much during the day. This lack of mobility puts your employees at risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSK), with lower back pain among the most frequent complaints. Not just a health issue, MSK can significantly affect employee productivity and absenteeism, contributing to millions of lost workdays each year. Learn about the new digital coaching feature that can help improve employee mobility and reduce the potential for MSK in just a few minutes a week.
A Pain in the Neck and Back
Musculoskeletal disorders (health conditions affecting muscles, tendons, nerves, joints, spinal discs, and other parts of the musculoskeletal system) are the predominant physical complaints in today’s office settings. Some of the most common issues include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis (linked to repetitive motions), and neck and back pain, often resulting from prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, and poor posture.
Every year, about half of all adults in the U.S. experience neck, back, shoulder, or other MSK pain. For employees, low back pain is one of the most significant health problems.
Of concern to employers, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that MSK accounts for 30% of absenteeism in the workplace. One statistic showed that during 2021-2022, the private sector experienced 976,090 MSK cases, including 502,380 days away from work.
Employee Mobility Matters: Preventing MSK
“Mobility” is the body’s ability to move. It encompasses muscle strength, range of motion, and endurance capacity. For employees, better mobility can result in better overall health and well-being. It can also help prevent injuries, improve job performance, and increase energy and stamina. Importantly, better mobility could also help employees avoid MSK before it happens.
New: AI-Powered Mobility Coaching in Just 10 Minutes
Aaptiv’s Mobility SmartCoach is an extraordinary new digital coaching feature designed to improve mobility. It assesses a user’s current mobility and then creates a personalized, adaptable plan to help improve movement and reduce the potential for MSK issues. Based on assessments used by physical therapists, this fully digital feature allows any employee to improve their mobility in just 10 minutes a few days a week.
How It Works
- The plan starts with an 8-point full-body self-assessment that measures mobility in the hip, shoulder, and posterior chain, the muscle groups located on the backside of the body from the upper back to the calf muscles.
- Users self-report these results to establish a baseline measurement of mobility. This serves as the foundation to create a Mobility Score, Mobility Map, and Mobility Training Plan.
- Every six weeks, the user repeats the 8-point mobility assessment and receives an updated Score, Map, and Training Plan based on the results.
Designed for Sedentary Employees
According to Joseph Quinn, Vice President of Product Development at Aaptiv, “A lot of fitness apps are designed for people who are already fit, which can be intimidating for non-exercisers. This new coaching feature allows every employee, no matter their fitness level, to engage in safe movement that builds mobility.”
He explains that Aaptiv’s Mobility SmartCoach is designed to welcome non-exercisers back to movement. However, it can also help the seasoned exerciser improve their mile time or get a deeper squat. Joseph adds, “It’s designed to be an accessible tool for people to feel and appreciate their bodies again.”
It can be incredibly challenging for less active employees to take that first step in a fitness journey. Joseph explains, “We have an enormous bank of fundamental exercises and ‘pre-beginner’ exercises for those new to exercise. SmartCoach helps sedentary employees start to move and improve their mobility, beginning week one.”
Quick and Easy
The mobility workouts aim to address strength, flexibility, coordination, posture, and body awareness. The best part is that no equipment is needed, and it takes just 10 minutes a day a few times a week.
“Our philosophy is all about steady progress and sustainable results,” says Joseph. “Our training intelligence interprets the user’s results by each body region and provides targeted and appropriate exercise for each area. He adds, “The user continually gets feedback through the app, which keeps them excited and engaged.”
Benefits of Mobility Training
Mobility training can help reduce the risk of MSK, which can lead to reduced absenteeism and fewer long-term leave requests. It could also lower healthcare plan expenses by reducing the incidence of employee pain and injury. Since mobility training is a preventive measure, it could also lower the costs of physical therapy services, which can be inconvenient and time-consuming.
“We’re excited to share Aaptiv’s Mobility SmartCoach with employers in the Aaptiv app, knowing that it can gently and safely guide employees towards more movement and better health,” says Joseph. “Plus,” he adds, “These workouts are meant to feel good.”
Learn more about Aaptiv employee fitness and wellness benefits.
