Hybrid Work and the Decline in Incidental Movement
As remote and hybrid work models stabilize globally, researchers are observing shifts in daily step accumulation. Several workforce studies report lower incidental movement among remote employees compared to office-based workers, primarily due to reduced commuting and building navigation.
While flexible work arrangements offer psychological benefits for many individuals, reduced background movement may increase cardiometabolic risk if not offset by intentional activity.
Professionals may consider helping clients identify movement anchors within work-from-home routines, such as scheduled walks, standing intervals, or structured breaks, to compensate for lost incidental steps.
Environmental changes often precede behavioral changes. Recognizing the movement implications of workplace shifts allows for more proactive programming.
References
Tison, Geoffrey H., et al. “Worldwide Effect of COVID-19 on Physical Activity.” Annals of Internal Medicine, vol. 173, no. 9, 2020, pp. 767–770.
Ding, Ding, et al. “Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Hybrid Work Environments.” The Lancet Global Health, vol. 10, no. 12, 2022, pp. e1657–e1666.
