Move and Health Care

How can we improve the wellbeing of healthcare staff during their shifts? This digital tool offers easy-to-access exercise breaks to support mental and physical resilience.

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In short

The Move and Health Care (MAHC) project develops a digital tool with short, accessible exercise snacks that healthcare professionals can use independently at work. These energising moments require no special outfit or extra time and aim to boost both physical and mental health. From breathing exercises to light stretching and strengthening exercises, the videos reflect real hospital and care settings. The project includes a broad target group—from frontline nurses to administrative staff—and is a collaboration between Artevelde University of Applied Sciences and French partners.

Need and relevance

Healthcare workers across Europe face high levels of stress, physical strain, and emotional fatigue. This results in absenteeism and staff turnover. At the same time, physical inactivity is on the rise, increasing health risks (OECD, 2024). The workplace is a powerful setting to promote wellbeing. By integrating physical and mental health routines into daily workflows, especially in the healthcare sector, this project supports the resilience of a key population.

From approach to impact

The project team designs short (under 5 minutes), inclusive video sessions that can be followed without equipment or preparation. The videos are tailored to various roles and needs, and include subtitles, audio descriptions, and translations. They offer practical guidance to improve mobility, relieve tension, and support mental calm. Pilots in Belgium and France will evaluate the tool's impact. The final goal is to embed movement into healthcare routines and sustainably strengthen staff wellbeing.

Research realisations and publications

To ensure that the physical activity videos met the specific needs of healthcare staff, two research activities were conducted.

State of the art

First, a state-of-the-art review (D2) was carried out. This review provides an overview of the current scientific evidence on workplace physical activity interventions in hospitals and healthcare settings. It identifies the key challenges, benefits, needs, and implications relevant to the development of the MAHC video resources.

Discover 'state of the art'

Qualitative study

Second, a qualitative study (D3) was conducted. Interviews were carried out with end users to gain insight into the needs, barriers, and facilitators influencing healthcare professionals' participation in workplace physical activity within the MAHC project.

Discover the qualitative study