At the health days, OPTIMA employees learn how to stay fit

The Health Days were held at Optima for the fourth time. The 
prevention event was offered in cooperation with AOK 
Heilbronn-Franken and other partners at four of the company's 
locations in Schwaebisch Hall. From May 28 to June 5, 
everything revolved around the topic of "health promotion and 
digitalization." The health days have become an integral part of 
the company's health management.

"Ergonomics in the workplace is very important to us," says Lana 
Ruder of Optima Human Resources Development. "To complement 
this, we had digital tools in use this year that support mobility and 
fitness," Ruder explains. As an example, she cites the "Pixformance 
movement meets digitalization" action booth. The "Pixformance" 
fitness device measures the exerciser's body, analyzes the 
execution of movements and provides digital feedback in real time, 
enabling particularly effective and safe functional training.

During the "Back Check," employees receive direct feedback on 
whether their back or abdominal muscles are stronger and what 
they can do to bring both sides into balance. Part of the offer is also 
an ergonomic workplace consultation - at an exercise table, visitors 
learn how to sit ergonomically correct.

"It's all about balance and coordination on the Pedalo spinning top," 
adds Sven Wolf, coordinator of company health management at 
AOK Heilbronn-Franken. The AOK experts have even set up a 
slackline on which Optima employees can test their balance skills. 
The mobility of joints is analyzed with sensors, so muscle 
shortenings are made visible and suitable exercises are taught to 
remedy the situation. 

Numerous cooperation partners support the AOK offer - these 
include physiotherapists and sports scientists who have the relevant 
qualifications and can thus provide sound advice to interested 
parties, says Wolf. A clear trend is discernible: "The subject of the 
back affects almost everyone," Wolf points out. Therefore the 
emphasis is suitable and more current than ever. The important 
thing is to get out and keep moving.

The concept is also well received by employees. "Since I have an 
office job and sit a lot, it's very helpful to see how balanced the body 
is at the moment and whether there's still room for improvement to 
keep back pain at bay," says Damaris Fandrey, a technical 
draftswoman at Optima Consumer. She finds the new digital 
offerings particularly exciting.