INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)  
ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XI November 2025  
Shaping Better Ergonomic Fitness Practices with Demographic  
Profiling Insights  
Vanessa B. Pablo¹, Elena D. Aguila², Paraluman L. Veloz³, Leny V. Salmingo⁴, Noricel Uchida Garcia⁵,  
Marilyn D. Buentipo⁶  
¹,2University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, Las Piñas City Campus, Philippines  
³,4,5Polytechnic University of the Philippines  
⁶Colegio de San Juan de Letran  
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.91100466  
Received: 13 November 2025; Accepted: 19 November 2025; Published: 18 December 2025  
ABSTRACT  
Understanding the demographic profile insights relationship with ergonomic fitness could transform workplace  
wellness. This research with quantitative descriptive method using survey questionnaire in a 5-point Likert scale  
measurement distributed to non-teaching employees of private academic institutions explored how demographic  
insights can shape ergonomic fitness behaviors with a view to stimulating targeted and effective strategies. Non-  
teaching education workers have a good cognitive ergonomic awareness through the division of mental workload  
and mindfulness to bolster resilience and performance. The number of moderate efforts in balancing breaks and  
physical activity reveals another cultural gap where strategic rest is necessary to maintain cognition. Schools are  
proud of their ergonomic culture, with staff embracing healthy habits and optimizing workspaces for posture.  
However, the moderate use of ergonomic resources and personal workplace exercises indicate missed  
opportunities. This presents opportunities for further refinement by enhancing awareness and support  
institutionally for health-focused breaks that can reduce injury, improve well-being, and increase productivity to  
ensure greater benefits for participants and school communities. Age and sex have a minimal impact on  
ergonomic fitness habits, while job classification is a strong determinant of ergonomic fitness participation.  
Focus on enhancing cognitive ergonomics and workplace wellbeing is necessary by offering regular training on  
workload management and mindfulness, supported by smart digital tools. Recognition of mental health practices  
and peer support networks is highly recommended. A workplace culture valuing mental rest through breaks and  
open conversations while promoting ergonomic fitness includes redesigning schedules for micro-breaks,  
physical activity, and easy access to stretch guidelines or break zones. Regular review of workload and break  
policies to adapt an inclusive environment that balances productivity with cognitive wellness. Approaches to  
ergonomics tailored to non-teaching employees enable academic workplaces to create healthier and safer  
environments with long-term benefits.  
Key Words: Ergonomics, Ergonomic Fitness Practices, Private Schools, Demographic Profile Insights  
INTRODUCTION  
Understanding how different demographic groups engage with ergonomic fitness can unlock wiser, more  
targeted wellness approaches at work. For independent workers, whose workday often is spent sitting for long  
durations or doing the same tasks over and over, ergonomic fitness is an essential consideration for health,  
productivity, and job satisfaction that lasts. Although most institutions invest in wellness initiatives, a one-size-  
fits-all model does not typically work. Employees are all of different ages, genders, physical abilities, and job  
types, yet prevailing ergonomic practice typically does not support these differences. This lack leads to many  
employees possibly not being maximally benefited or worse, possibly being at risk of injury from ill-fitting  
interventions. Past researches had tended to focus on general principles of ergonomics or specific industries with  
little specific data regarding how demographic factors drive ergonomic needs and behaviors in private-sector  
employees (Popova, et al., 2025; Aziz Ali & Sreedharan, 2024). This research attempts to fill the gap by  
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)  
ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XI November 2025  
examining the significant relationships of demographic profile such as age, sex, and occupation on ergonomic  
fitness practices. In so doing, the study hopes to help institutions create rich, varied ergonomic fitness strategies  
that resonate with varied employee profiles ultimately creating healthier workplaces, reduced strain and injury  
incidents, and better morale and productivity. Without taking the demographic view into consideration,  
ergonomic solutions can be generic, less effective, and even costly mistakes.  
Ergonomics and occupational health according to Kgakge, et al. (2025) shows that familiarity with ergonomics,  
yet limited demonstration on the high levels of knowledge, positive attitudes, and good ergonomic practices.  
Poor ergonomic practices were shown despite awareness wherein there is statistically significant associations  
between sex and ergonomic practices and between length of work experience and ergonomic practices.  
Emphasize was given on the gap between familiarity with ergonomic principles and their practical application  
in which poor ergonomic practices could contribute to the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, particularly lower  
back pain, reinforcing the need for targeted training, policies, and workplace interventions to improve  
occupational health. Hence, the present study is vital in shaping better ergonomic practices in the workplace  
setting.  
As Santos, et al. (2025) discusses that ergonomic interventions had a major decrease in musculoskeletal pain  
intensity, especially in the lower back. Ergonomic strategies as a pragmatic way to reduce work-related  
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are essential in order to maximize intervention design and ensure long-term  
efficacy, with advocating for ongoing improvement and customized intervention strategies as key determinants  
of long-term health. Therefore, the current research affirms incorporating ergonomic modifications, equipment  
modification, and training programs as efficient elements to decrease workplace MSD burden and enhance  
employee ergonomic fitness behaviors.  
Research Objectives  
The main objective of this study is assessing the private school employees’ demographic profile’s relationship  
on ergonomic fitness practices and how it helps shape a better workplace setting. Specifically, the main research  
questions for this paper includes; (1) What are the ergonomic fitness practices employed by the private non-  
teaching employees; (2) What is the significant relationship of the ergonomic fitness practices when  
demographic profile is considered; and (3) What strategies can be developed to have shape ergonomic fitness  
practices supporting a better workplace setting?  
LITERATURE REVIEW  
The important literature and studies are discussed as follows according to ergonomic fitness practices,  
importance of demographic profile considerations in ergonomics, and strategies to shape ergonomic fitness  
practices supporting a better workplace setting.  
Ergonomic Fitness Practices  
Ergonomics is more than fancy chairs but it is about designing a healthier, more comfortable working  
environment that improves productivity, decreases fatigue, and prevents injury. Ergonomic programs attuned to  
personal factors such as age, gender, job description and physical health are needed for true comfort and well-  
being (Sarker & Khan, 2020). Frequent exercise integrated into work procedures prevents musculoskeletal  
disorders (Abdollahi, et al., (2020); Rhen, 2023) due to repetitive strain. These customized ergonomics fitness  
strategies are not only wise decisions but imperative measures to ensure employees remain safe, healthy, and  
effective within their tasks (Chen, et al, 2023; Boonsem, et al, 2022; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  
2019). Although ergonomics fitness has been proven to be of benefit, workers usually unable to determine which  
are most suited to their demographic requirements. The dynamic nature of work and daily activities may lead  
individuals to ignore ergonomics fitness, hence unable to maximize its ability to enhance job performance. Law  
also upholds such initiatives advocating for health rights, which demands that workplaces adhere to tight health  
and safety regulations. Private school employers have to create healthy and secure settings, promoting ergonomic  
fitness habits. To work hard in this situation is not only effort but also to stay healthy, energetic, and legally  
shielded that serves the interests of employees.  
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)  
ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XI November 2025  
An effective ergonomics program fosters a healthier, more productive workplace by implementing changes such  
as adjustable desks, ergonomic chairs, and improved lighting, which reduce injuries and boost job satisfaction  
(Davies et al., 2023; Rhen, 2023; US Department of Labor, 2024). Successful ergonomics fitness requires  
employee involvement in planning and investment in supportive equipment, promoting mobility and good  
posture, especially for private school staff exposed to heavy lifting and repetitive motions (Duffy & Shaw, 2019;  
Middlesworth, 2024). Ergonomic interventions minimize muscle fatigue, maximize productivity, and foster a  
safety culture that perceives safety as a normative rather than regulatory aspect (Tersa-Miralles et al., 2022;  
Wulzerbacher et al., 2020). Ongoing risk assessment, process optimization, and surveillance are crucial for  
sustaining worker health (Tersa-Miralles et al., 2022; Wulzerbacher et al., 2020).  
Santos (2024) suggests integrated model that can help assess and order the ergonomic risk factors such as human-  
related, cognitive, and physical stresses leading to occupational musculoskeletal disorders and mental loads. Not  
only does the model identify the most important risk factors but also the most affected workers, enabling targeted  
improvement work to be undertaken. Through the structured evaluation of ergonomic risks, the model helps  
organization enhance occupational safety management and design effective interventions for developing  
healthier, safer workplaces. Hence, the supply of scientific and data-driven method like demographic profiles of  
evaluating and managing workplace ergonomics effectively and comprehensively can be used broadly to  
minimize work-related injury and enhance worker well-being.  
Workplace design should be fitted to the physical and cognitive capabilities of individuals to maximize  
efficiency, quality, and productivity while minimizing the risk of injury and occupational health issues (Edwards,  
et al, 2025). Ergonomics does not stop at physical changes but goes further to include cognitive ergonomics that  
deal with perception, memory, reasoning, and interaction between humans and the environment. Its overall  
relevance to so many various industries including educational institutions makes this foundational on  
understanding and implementing effective ergonomic solutions.  
Despite awareness of ergonomics, when there are physical stresses, inadequate ergonomic facilities, and poor  
knowledge of ergonomic practices negatively affect workers' physical performance (Monera, et al, 2024). This  
leads to fatigue and strain among them. There are benefits arising from ergonomic interventions such as  
adjustable equipment and training seminars that help reduce backaches and increase productivity. However, there  
is still a problem caused by resource scarcity and heavy workloads. The key challenges involve urging  
stakeholders towards concerted efforts on the importance of creating a culture supportive of ergonomic fitness,  
continuous investment in ergonomic work design, and supporting employees more effectively to improve.  
Importance of Demographic Profile Considerations in Ergonomics  
Based on Popova, et al (2025), the majority of the office workers' occupational musculoskeletal disorders  
(WMSDs), with focus on demographic and occupational characteristics, presented that neck, lower back, and  
shoulder pain were prevalent. The current study also strongly indicates occupational interventions that enhance  
ergonomic fitness consciousness, posture correction, and health practices. The implementation of targeted  
intervention to prevent WMSDs has the potential to create healthier, happier workers and ultimately a more  
productive workforce. The study informs us on the way in which age, sex, job category along physical condition  
interacts to affect musculoskeletal health, increasing demands for office labor force occupational health changes.  
The research by Aziz Ali and Sreedharan (2024) indicates that individuals who perform physically demanding  
jobs possess favorable ergonomic awareness. Shockingly, the musculoskeletal disorders diagnosed with pain  
virtually affecting the lower back, neck, and shoulders. Consistent with this, ergonomic awareness is strongly  
associated with education, and age and experience years affect ergonomic practice. Thus, the current research  
confirms the immediate necessity for private sector employers to invest in ergonomic training and on-the-job  
implementation to protect workers' health, alleviate musculoskeletal injury, and promote workplace well-being.  
Age, sex, and work demand affect how musculoskeletal disorders present, especially in back and shoulders,  
requiring customized ergonomics programs for effectiveness (Nygaard et al., 2022; Abdul Latip et al., 2025).  
Men tend to report less pain, aggravating long-term health status. Hence, addressing personal and ergonomic  
risk factors is critical to enhancing work ability, disability prevention, and quality of life through personalized  
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interventions such as wellness programs (Bazaluk et al., 2023; McNamara & Pitt-Catsouphes, 2020). Promotion  
of healthy living and educational interventions, especially among female workers, prevent musculoskeletal  
disorders. Better office ergonomics through training and organizational workspace design enhance health,  
effectiveness, and job satisfaction, as observed in the Philippines' private sector (Hosseini et al., 2023; Barrieau,  
2024). The Philippine Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFESP) works towards increasing ergonomics  
education, training, and organizational coordination, emphasizing the significance of ergonomics in academic  
workplaces for improved employee health and productivity (International Ergonomics and Human Factors  
Association, 2024).  
Strategies to Shape Ergonomic Fitness Practices Supporting a Better Workplace Setting  
Inexpensive wellness activities that target staffs' requirements have the capability to enhance the morale, well-  
being, and lower absence in schools is a financial saving. Efficient programs encompass health screenings,  
nutrition counseling, reducing stress, fitness contests, and quit smoking, which all increase job satisfaction and  
indirectly improve student outcomes (El-Sherbeeny et al., 2023). Effective ergonomic habits and tools minimize  
soft-tissue damage, chronic pain, and fatigue, leading to improved physical and mental health (Kraemer et al.,  
2020; Monera et al., 2024). Risk analysis aids in the identification of risks like improper workstation design and  
poor lighting to design safer work environments (OSHA, 2024). For administrative staff, ergonomic training and  
physical exercise combat sedentary hazards, an issue exacerbated by the pandemic, promoting better lifestyles  
(Edwards et al., 2022; Tersa-Miralles et al., 2022; Jasmine et al., 2020; Mairaj et al., 2024). Tailored wellness  
initiatives with continuous monitoring drive work satisfaction and positive culture (El-Sherbeeny et al., 2023).  
An effective ergonomic program continues to be dependent on ongoing evaluation, leaders’ commitment, and  
active employee involvement for maintaining improvements and addressing emerging risks (Edwards, et al,  
2025). These strategic interventions are appropriate but are particularly important in those that are physically or  
cognitively demanding, since there are substantial long-term health impacts that are contingent on effective  
ergonomic design and practice within a workplace.  
Research Paradigm  
Figure No. 1 Research Paradigm  
The research paradigm shows an exploration of demographic considerations and the actuality of application of  
such practices within the wellbeing of the workplace. Addressing the research question of what specific  
ergonomic fitness practices are being applied adopted a descriptive approach to answer the number and range of  
such practices. The question of whether there exists a significant correlation between ergonomic fitness behaviors  
and demographic profiles employs a correlational paradigm. Examining the demographic variables identifies  
patterns that might potentially indicate how it shapes attitudes and behavior toward ergonomic physical fitness.  
Therefore, the findings can be applied directly to policy and program development within educational contexts.  
The strategies are designed not merely to improve physical comfort and efficiency but also to foster a health-  
awareness culture. With this, ergonomic physical fitness practices need to be introduced in the workplace,  
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tweaked to fit the employees' demographic profiles, and supported through constant education and organizational  
backing.  
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY  
This study provides valuable insights on ergonomic fitness practices among non-teaching personnel of private  
schools. Time and budget constraints also restricted the extent and scope of the research. Despite these  
constraints in mind, the study contributes significantly to the knowledge base as far as how ergonomic fitness  
practices and demographic profiles helped in creating an improved workplace. Based on the descriptive  
correlational approach, the study utilized validated survey questionnaires with a 5-point Likert scale in its  
application on private schools specifically in Albay. There were 135 purposively sampled respondents. This  
research yields meaningful results which could guide future research in constructing better workspaces with  
workable environments.  
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS  
The results and discussions are as follows;  
Table 1 Ergonomic Fitness Practices as to Cognitive  
Indicators  
Mean  
3.53  
3.53  
3.73  
3.87  
3.60  
Interpretation  
Highly Practiced  
Highly Practiced  
Highly Practiced  
Highly Practiced  
Highly Practiced  
1. I comprehend the ergonomic fitness and work productivity relationship.  
2. I comprehend prevention of work injury with the help of ergonomics.  
3. I appreciate the contribution of ergonomics to job satisfaction and welfare.  
4. I seek ergonomic solutions actively to work environment.  
5. Ergonomic activity assists me in regulating tension and mental fatigue  
arising from work.  
6. I manage workload balancing towards breaks for ergonomic health and  
physical exercise.  
3.27  
3.93  
Moderately Practiced  
Highly Practiced  
7. I give top priority to the division of mental workload to avoid cognitive  
overload.  
8. I employ ergonomic devices that facilitate cognitive functions.  
9. I am mindful on exercises enhancing cognitive ergonomics.  
3.87  
3.93  
3.47  
Highly Practiced  
Highly Practiced  
Moderately Practiced  
10. I facilitate teamwork to ensure productive problem-solving to maximize  
ergonomic work processes.  
3.67  
Highly Practiced  
OVERALL MEAN  
Table 1 presents the ergonomic fitness practices as to cognitive with 3.67 overall mean interpreted as highly  
practiced. The given indicator "I give top priority to the division of mental workload to avoid cognitive overload"  
with 3.93 mean and interpreted as highly practiced among non-teaching education employees signals a strong  
self-awareness towards cognitive ergonomic fitness. This is important behavior because strategically distributing  
mental tasks can prevent cognitive fatigue, reduce errors, and enhance overall job performance which is all  
important in educational environments where support staff juggle diverse responsibilities. By giving priority to  
workload division, employees effectively manage their mental resources, promoting sustained attention and  
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preventing burnout. With the ergonomic viewpoint, which aims at the design of work systems in such a way that  
they match the human capacity for cognitive processes and do not overload it. Such practices are likely to lead  
to better mental health, higher productivity, and a more appropriate response to complex or multitasking  
situations commonly arising in administrative and technical areas of educational institutions. The development  
of further training or tools to support mental workload management may result in a working environment that  
protects mental well-being and ensures efficient task execution, while enhancing resilience and efficiency among  
support staff.  
The high level of mindfulness practice in exercises increasing cognitive ergonomics with mean of 3.93 among  
non-teaching staff heralds a promising turn toward improving cognitive ergonomic fitness in educational  
institutions. Mindfulness, through focused awareness and clarity of mind, directly fosters cognitive functions  
such as attention regulation, memory retention, and stress management. This strong engagement in mindful  
exercises gives an indication that employees are paying conscious and much-needed attention to mental well-  
being parallel to physical health. For an academic setting, where multitasking and demands for information  
processing are high, this is indeed useful. Adopting mindfulness indicates an institutional culture for holistic  
health, not just comfort. This builds cultural momentum in people's working habits for sustainability that could  
reduce burnout and improve job satisfaction. Non-teaching employees who foster much better mental resilience  
and cognitive clarity will handle complex tasks efficiently, leaving behind a healthier and more engaged yet agile  
workforce.  
The indicator "I manage workload balancing towards breaks for ergonomic health and physical exercise" with  
mean of 3.27 is moderately or least practiced shows a critical gap in cognitive ergonomic fitness among non-  
teaching staff in educational institutions. It means workers are not incorporating scheduled breaks and physical  
activity into the workday needed to sustain cognition. Poor workload management, not considering ergonomic  
breaks, may lead to a decline in concentration and increased levels of stress, with an increased risk of  
musculoskeletal discomfort. A moderate or low level of practice in this area would signal a possible lack of  
awareness or structural support in the workplace to enable such breaks. One must take into consideration the  
demanding nature of the roles non-teaching personnel often faces. Without systemic workload balancing to  
encourage frequent pauses and movement, there is inevitably a cost in cognitive acuity and physical health. The  
institutional culture needs to change from one that values unbroken work to one that values strategic rest as a  
booster for productivity.  
From Table 1, non-teaching education staff highly value workload division in terms of mental workload, hence  
showing very strong cognitive ergonomic awareness, which bolsters focus to prevent burn out. Mindfulness  
practices are similarly high reflecting a healthy culture in support of mental clarity and handling stress. On the  
other hand, workload balancing through breaks and exercises was found to be least which exposes risks of  
cognitive fatigue and physical strain. It therefore calls for schools to shift the focus toward promoting strategic  
rest and movement in the pursuit of sustained productivity and wellness that is resilient and active in support of  
emerging complex demands at work.  
Table 2 Ergonomic Fitness Practices as to Workplace  
Indicators  
Mean  
4.27  
Interpretation  
1. I emphasis on health and well-being in school culture supports ergonomic  
participation.  
Highly Practiced  
2. The values and vision of school encourage me with uniform ergonomic  
practice.  
4.27  
3.93  
3.80  
Highly Practiced  
Highly Practiced  
Highly Practiced  
3. Physical activity policies in the workplace lead to increased my comfort and  
productivity.  
4. I participate in initiatives promoting ergonomic fitness and wellness programs.  
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5. I believe in the leadership commitment of the school to ergonomic standards  
and improvements.  
3.93  
3.27  
3.47  
3.93  
3.47  
3.93  
3.83  
Highly Practiced  
6. I appreciate resources available for ergonomic fitness.  
Moderately  
Practiced  
7. I conduct periodic ergonomic evaluation and feedback mechanisms to modify  
workplace systems.  
Moderately  
Practiced  
8. I value incorporation of ergonomic factors into general organizational  
planning and policies.  
Highly Practiced  
9. I promote employee involvement in ergonomic decision-making.  
Moderately  
Practiced  
10. I appreciate partnership with external ergonomic specialists to develop and  
enhance workplace ergonomics.  
Highly Practiced  
Highly Practiced  
OVERALL MEAN  
Table 2 exhibits the ergonomic fitness practices as to workplace with overall mean of 3.83 interpreted as highly  
practiced. The strong emphasis on health and wellbeing within the school's culture with mean of 4.27 and  
interpreted as highly practiced serves as a major driver for nonteaching staff in educational settings which  
promotes the acceptance and embracing of ergonomic practices. Such a commitment is directly translated for  
non-teaching staff who often have to perform physically demanding tasks or spend long hours in fixed postures.  
A matter of creating a culture that cares about the health of each individual can have a ripple effect on general  
institutional effectiveness. Fundamentally, embedding health and wellbeing at the heart of one's organization  
allows an active, caring approach toward workers' long-term health, morale sustainability, and the enhancement  
of an environment that thrives in education and is essential for sustainable wellness in the workplace.  
The indicator, "The values and vision of school encourage me with uniform ergonomic practice" with mean of  
4.27 and interpreted as highly practiced. When non-teaching staff believe that the core values of their institution  
actively encourage continuous ergonomic practices, it builds a cohesive, motivated workforce. The shared vision  
acts as a catalyst; instead of compliance with ergonomic guidelines becoming a checked-box activity, it becomes  
an embraced routine. Such institutional commitment is as clear as an endorsement from leadership as one is  
likely to find, and it is often the most powerful impetus for change in long-term behavior in the workplace. It's  
more than just a confirmation of how important ergonomic health is but rather takes the guesswork out of how  
one conducts their postures, utilization of equipment, and regular breaks to move around. This alignment reduces  
fatigue and injury risk, increasing overall productivity.  
The indicator "I appreciate resources available for ergonomic fitness" with mean of 3.27 and only receives a  
moderate practice suggests an important missed opportunity within workplaces in educational institutions. Non-  
teaching staff who are engaged in repetitive tasks, appreciating and utilizing ergonomic resources directly  
impacts comfort, productivity, and longterm health. However, the moderate level of appreciation may reflect  
awareness without full commitment or access barriers because there could be availability of ergonomic  
resources, employees might not fully recognize their benefits or feel unencouraged to engage. Engaging non-  
teaching staff through targeted communication enhances understanding about how ergonomic tools such as  
adjustable chairs, keyboard supports, and timely breaks bolster wellbeing and job performance. The culture  
regarding ergonomic fitness needs elevation from moderate appreciation to active utilization. When employees  
value and integrate the practices of ergonomics, lower injury rates, improved morale, and sustained efficiency  
become expected institutional gains. Its moderate status, therefore, constitutes a warning and an invitation to  
transform everyday practice for healthier workplaces.  
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Table 3 Ergonomic Fitness Practices as to Physical  
Indicators  
Mean  
3.93  
Interpretation  
1. I implement ergonomic principles to set up workspace for improved posture  
and movement  
Highly Practiced  
2. I set up workspace ergonomically to improve movement and posture  
3. I utilize ergonomic tools and break spaces to minimizes physical discomfort  
4. The ergonomic processes I used minimize physical discomfort and injury  
5. Timings to do ergonomic exercises is within my work hours  
3.60  
3.60  
3.80  
3.47  
3.60  
3.60  
Highly Practiced  
Highly Practiced  
Highly Practiced  
Moderately Practiced  
Highly Practiced  
Highly Practiced  
6. Workspace designed ergonomically improves my comfort and productivity  
7. Daily adjustments of furniture and equipment to suit my personal ergonomic  
requirements  
8. I track physical fatigue and reconfiguration of tasks or posture to reduce  
discomfort  
3.87  
Highly Practiced  
9. I follow instruction given on proper ergonomic methods and body mechanics  
10. Ergonomic awareness enhances my comfort and physical effort  
OVERALL MEAN  
3.73  
3.80  
3.70  
Highly Practiced  
Highly Practiced  
Highly Practiced  
Table 3 shows ergonomic fitness practices as to physical with overall mean of 3.70 and interpreted as highly  
practiced. The indicator about "I implement ergonomic principles to set up workspace for improved posture and  
movement" with mean of 3.93 and interpreted as highly practiced among non-teaching staff serves to point out  
a promising trend for healthier ways of working within an educational institution. The employees, through  
conscious arrangement of their working environment by changing chair height, monitor position, and keyboard  
placement, reduce immediate physical strain and are cultivating long-term well-being. This is a clear indication  
of increasing awareness and self-care among the employees themselves, and thus an indicator of effective  
training on ergonomics or personal initiative. Moreover, it is likely to increase productivity and job satisfaction.  
As comfort and freedom of movement improve, cognitive focus and physical energy tend to increase, benefiting  
both the person and the institution. These data suggest that employees are not just passively putting up with but  
actively optimizing their work setup, which can be a huge cultural shift.  
The indicator about "Timings to do ergonomic exercises is within my work hours" with mean of 3.47 and  
interpreted as moderately practiced, showing a critical gap in priorities for health at work from the perspective  
of educational institutions among non-teaching staff. While there's increased awareness of physical ergonomic  
fitness, this moderate engagement seems to suggest that times for exercises are either overlooked or considered  
secondary to the demands of work. A moderate rating shows an imminent need for institutional policies  
anchoring the intention to make ergonomic exercises part of daily schedule requirements and not optional or  
extra-time activities. Non-teaching employees often report repetitive tasks or sustained static postures that  
heighten physical discomfort and long-term health risks with no relief in time. Thus, institutions should  
encourage a culture believing in taking physical breaks, provide training in ergonomics, and probably structure  
regular but short periods for exercises within work hours as a way of moving from a rating of moderate to high  
practice. Embedding ergonomic exercises into work time will pay off by contributing to improved physical well-  
being, morale, and job performance via a healthy, energetic workforce that faces educational outcomes with  
sustained vitality.  
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Table 4 The Significant Relationship between the Respondents Demographic Profiles and their Ergonomic  
Fitness Practices  
Demographic  
Profile  
Ergonomic  
Practices  
Fitness Correlation  
Coefficient  
pvalue  
Significance/  
Interpretation  
Cognitive  
Workplace  
Physical  
-0.163  
-0.169  
-0.117  
0.060  
0.052  
0.129  
-0.460  
-0.685  
-0.561  
.286  
.266  
.445  
.693  
.733  
.399  
.001  
.000  
.000  
Not Significant  
Not Significant  
Not Significant  
Not Significant  
Not Significant  
Not Significant  
Significant  
Age  
Cognitive  
Workplace  
Physical  
Sex  
Cognitive  
Workplace  
Physical  
Job Classification  
Significant  
Significant  
The relationship between the respondents’ demographic profiles and their current ergonomic fitness practices  
revealed that age exhibited very weak negative correlations with cognitive, workplace and physical, all of which  
were not statistically significant. This suggests that the age of the respondents does not meaningfully influence  
their engagement in any of the measured ergonomic fitness practices. Similarly, sex demonstrated very weak  
positive correlations which were also not significant. This indicates that biological sex does not appear to be a  
determining factor in the respondents’ participation in ergonomic fitness routines. Conversely, job classification  
showed a more notable relationship with the participants’ ergonomic fitness practices. Moderate to strong  
negative correlations were observed between job classification and ergonomic fitness practices, all of which  
were statistically significant. With this, it implies that job responsibilities suggesting that workload and job  
responsibilities have impacts on active participation. Moreover, ergonomic fitness practice awareness is present  
and valued regardless of age and sex but job demands creates more factor on engagement.  
CONCLUSIONS  
The non-teaching personnel manage their cognitive workload well, pointing both to high personal commitment  
and to supportive organizational practices that promote cognitive ergonomic fitness. This proactive distribution  
of mental tasks seems to lower or avoid overload, reduce stress, and maintain performance in demanding  
educational settings. Similarly, the integration of mindfulness activities is found to develop cognitive clarity,  
reduction in fatigue, and overall productivity, reflecting an emergent holistic wellbeing culture for individuals  
and organizations alike. Integration of break and other physical activities into daily routines remains inconsistent,  
pointing to potential threats against mental and physical health. Existing workload and institutional culture may  
increase their support to ergonomic practices that will help people maintain long-term resilience and productivity.  
More emphasis should be directed, in future interventions, toward promoting and facilitating regular rest periods  
and physical movement so as not to fall into the processes of cognitive weariness and decline brought about by  
stress, hence improving the wellbeing and the effectiveness of the organization. Age and sex have a minimal  
impact on the response variable of ergonomic fitness habits, while job classification is a strong determinant of  
participation. This shows how workload and responsibilities shape engagement in the ergonomic fitness  
practices, with high awareness across demographics of how job demands often outweigh personal factors in  
sustaining the practice of ergonomic health.  
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RECOMMENDATIONS  
Sharper Mind: A Better Cognitive Ergonomics  
Offer regular training sessions on practical workload management according to job demands. Introduce smart,  
upgraded digital tools and workflow systems that support clear organization of tasks. Encourage recognition and  
praise from leaders for best practices in taking care of one's mental health including peer support networks  
regardless of age, sex and job positions. Regular monitoring can head off overload before it builds into stress.  
Further, mindfulness programs, health screenings and nutrition counselling will enhance the mental resilience  
needed to meet everyday task challenges. Combine these interventions with ergonomic education to bring about  
full-circle cognitive wellness.  
Culture of Care at Work  
Breaks for mental rest as productivity power-ups should be part of culture of care at work regardless of age, sex,  
and job classifications. Ergonomic fitness practices advocacy helps employees balance workload with mental  
and physical wellbeing supported by structured ergonomic risks evaluation. Open conversations ensure that  
everyone cares for cognitive and physical health with no stigma while keeping support and connection.  
Ergonomic Fitness Culture in the Workplace  
The education of ergonomic fitness culture may allow for regular breaks, especially with physical activities that  
could improve brainpower and help promote ergonomics. Redesign daily schedules to incorporate necessary  
micro-breaks while allowing and providing time for staff to step away to reset. Make healthy behaviors easy by  
ensuring access to the ergonomic resources such as guidelines about stretching or specific break zones. Create  
an environment that supports movement and rest throughout the workday and normalizes it without  
compromising age, sex and job designs. Revisit workload and break practices regularly and make sure healthy  
habits stick and change with the needs of the employees.  
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT  
The authors would like to extend gratitude to the private schools and their non-teaching employees who  
participated in this research study along with mentors, colleagues, and family members for their support. Without  
their appreciation and willingness, this study would never have been completed within time period.  
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