The Effect of Workplace-Based Sports Participation on the Mental Status of Japanese Workers

Abstract

Whether workplace-based sports are part of a company's employee welfare program in terms of mental status is unknown. This study examined the impact of workplace-based sports participation on the mental status of Japanese workers. It involved a single-arm intervention comprising participation in a company's volleyball team. Data on mental status were collected using a simplified version of the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. Overall, 11 individuals participated, 9 (81.8%) of whom were women; the mean participant age was 38.2 years. Because the intervention was conducted during busy periods, the median (25th and 75th percentiles) score for qualitative job overload significantly increased from 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) to 3.0 (3.0, 4.3) (p = 0.03). Nonetheless, the fatigue score significantly decreased from 3.0 (3.0, 4.3) to 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) (p = 0.03). These results indicate that participation in workplace-based sports can prevent the deterioration of mental status during busy periods.