In partnership with The Leadership High, colleagues from the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences investigated the impact on workplace performance of those exposed to various physical challenges.
The researchers designed studies with the aim of better understanding the links between physical challenge, people’s mindset, and organisational setting. Using some of the latest scientific approaches, including randomised controlled trials and mixed methods, they studied the effects of different physical challenges in nature (for example, a high rope course, skiing) and the laboratory (for example, a cold tolerance task) on aspects of people’s mindset and workplace performance.
The findings of the research have informed The Leadership High’s work in a variety of ways:
- Emphasizing that the benefits of physical challenges are not only psychological in nature but also social and relational
- Emphasizing the importance of engagement and emotions associated with physical challenge to enhance self-confidence
- Better understanding the importance of sense of achievement, wellbeing, team cohesion, and active learning in bringing about positive results
- Emphasizing the important role of natural environments and individual taking a break from their daily work routine
- Better understanding how the human body reacts to physical challenge and how this effects their thoughts about and feelings in response to such challenge
Professor David Fletcher, Professor of Human Performance and Health, Loughborough University, explained:
”In these challenging times we live in, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how we can better support people to thrive in the workplace and their lives more broadly.
“We are proud to partner with The Leadership High to not only amplify the impact on their clients’ lives, but also to have global intellectual impact through our unique collaboration and contributions.”
Read more about the background, findings, and impact of the research here.