The worksite fitness movement.

A growing number of companies are offering fitness programs for their employees. Twenty-two percent of companies with more than 50 employees provide a physical fitness program, and the larger the company the more likely it is to offer a program. For example, 54 percent of companies with more than 750 employees offer employee fitness programs compared to 15 percent with 50 to 100 employees.

Both the company and the employees benefit from a wellness program. Employees gain personal benefits, including disease prevention, improved physical performance, and a positive mental outlook. The employer gains a more productive workforce with lower medical and health-care costs. (See related article on page 10.)

The Safeway Corporation Bakery Division in Oregon experienced a 99 percent reduction in workdays lost because of sickness or accident less than 10 years after beginning the "Buns on the Run" employee fitness program.

Exercisers at Tenneco have less sick time compared to nonexercisers. The average absentee rate of "high adherent" program participants dropped almost 50 percent the first year of their program.

The Los Angeles County fire fighters experienced a 45 percent reduction in workers' compensation costs during the first 10 years of the program. And in a five-year study at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana, medical care costs for program participants were 43 percent lower than those of matched nonparticipants.

Walter Hartzell, M.D., former airline medical director and Air Force flight surgeon, sets up employee wellness programs for corporations in Canada.

Despite his busy schedule, he fits exercise in at lunchtime. Here are some noontime exercises he recommends:

* Briskly walk a mile or two with a partner.

* Walk up and down the stairs for 20 minutes.

* Ride a stationary bicycle.

* Participate in a company lunchtime recreation group. These groups may choose to play volleyball, basketball, racquetball, tennis, or some other net or court game.

* Ride your bicycle for 30 minutes.

* Jog with a partner along a safe and pleasant route near the office.

* Work out at the company gym or fitness center.

* Do a combination of activities. Walk or jog three days per week, then work out in the fitness center two days per week.

John E. Gobble, D.H.Sc., M.P.H., R.D., CH.E.S., is director of Wellness Education, Wellsource, Inc., Clackamas, Oregon.