A comparison of the response of manual and non-manual workers to fitness testing

NON-MANUAL workers from the local civic centre and manual shop floor workers from a manufacturer of heavy electrical equipment underwent fitness testing as part of health promotion in the workplace. A three month post-testing evaluation was carried out by means of a self-completion questionnaire. Manual workers reported improved diet, more exer cise and reduced alcohol and tobacco consumption to a significantly greater extent than changes reported by non-manual workers. Our findings suggest that the response to health promotion in the workplace and subequent benefits is greater for manual workers and this has important policy implica tions for health promotion in the workplace.