Jobs in Motion: A Routine Tailored to the Workplace

Each group gets a profile of a real job (cashier, delivery rider, software developer, nurse, construction worker, bus driver) describing its postures, loads and hours. They analyze which body areas suffer most and design a five-minute routine to do right at the workstation, then teach it to the class.

How to play

1. Introduce the idea: every job leaves a mark on the body. Hand out the job profiles with a description of a typical workday (3 min).
2. Analysis: each group marks the risk areas (neck, lower back, wrists, legs) on a body outline and decides whether the job needs more mobility, strength or relief (6 min).
3. Design a five-minute routine with five exercises that can be done in work clothes and in the workspace, for example next to the checkout or at the wheel while parked (7 min).
4. Each group leads a 2-minute short version of its routine for the rest of the class (12 min).
5. Wrap-up: which routine is closest to what each student will need in their future studies or job (2 min).

Rules

• Exercises must be realistic for the job: no lying on a supermarket floor.
• Avoid any exercise that causes pain; the goal is relief, not fatigue.
• Chairs stay with all four legs on the floor, no tipping.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the group includes a seated job and the routine is reviewed from the wheelchair.
• Autism: uses a template with fixed steps (risk areas, type of exercise, time) to organize the design.
• Deaf or hard of hearing: routines are projected with drawings or pictograms while being led.

Learning goals

• Analyze the postural and load risks of different jobs.
• Design short prevention routines suited to a work setting.
• Connect physical activity with health throughout adult life.

Equipment for a class of 25

• job profiles: 6
• chairs: 30
• mats: 6
• timer: 1

Teacher tip

Ask students to add their own future job at the end. You can team up with the career guidance department to link it to workplace safety.

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