ABSTRACT
A large proportion (75%) of adults in Australia do not meet the physical activity guidelines of sufficient levels of physical activity each week. This can have implications for health outcomes, such as the development of non-communicable disease (diabetes, heart disease, obesity and mental health). Active design is an emerging concept to incorporate physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour into daily life through thoughtful design. Many adults spend most of their day indoors at work (either in the company, home office or the local café). Hence, there is an opportunity to facilitate increased opportunities for reducing prolonged sedentary time and increasing incidental physical activity in indoor work settings and as such to support high-performing workplaces. To stimulate increased physical activity within the indoor built environment, a holistic interaction is needed between built structures and the context facilitating use of the indoor environment. This chapter looks at the benefits of active design, how it can support high-performing workplaces both at the standard office building and in alternative workplaces and recommendations for its implementation.
