Source: SVB Aktuell
According to a study, 95 percent of Austrians say that “exercise is healthy,” yet only 40 percent actively participate in regular exercise, and it is likely that this percentage is even lower among the rural population.
Why is there such a wide gap between knowledge about the health benefits of exercise and actual active participation in sports? Lack of time and lack of self-motivation are cited as one of the main reasons for inactivity – especially among insured farmers. But are there ways to combine everyday work with health-promoting exercise or balancing exercises? The SVB Health Promotion Department has developed exercise options for agriculture that can be easily, simply, and quickly integrated into everyday work routines.
Two examples:
When working in the milking parlor, there are always short "windows" of time to incorporate a strengthening exercise for the leg muscles. Stand with one leg on the second step of the stairs and push your body weight up with one leg. Perform the exercise until the leg is muscularly exhausted, then repeat with the other leg.
Another option would be a balancing exercise on the tractor. Long periods of driving inevitably lead to tension in the neck and shoulder muscles due to twisting the head. This one-sided strain can be easily counteracted with stretching exercises during a "short break" (30 to 60 seconds), thus improving well-being. Tilt your head to one side and stretch your opposite hand towards the ground as hard as possible until you feel tension in the neck region. These exercises – repeated regularly and integrated into the work process – lead to improved physical fitness, well-being, and increased productivity. In the future, health promotion plans to distribute a collection of "Farm Training Area" exercises during safety consultations on farms.