RECOVERY FROM WORK
STRESS THROUGH SPORTS
Course: Human Behaviour in Organisations
Course coordinator: Wilken Wehrt
Deadline: 13 December 2024
Word count: 1909
1
,Abstract
In today’s work environment, employees are more and more exposed to stress, which
can lead to several issues, such as reduced work productivity, burn-out or a decrease in well-
being. This study examines whether participating in sports can help in the recovery of daily
work stress by reviewing theoretical models and theories. These models and theories include
the Stress Reduction Theory, Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model, Social Exchange Theory,
Self-Regulation Theory, and the Biopsychosocial Model. The analysis of the theories focus on
promoting stress recovery with participating in sports.
From the research it can be concluded that sports serve as an effective intervention for
work stress. It improves the resilience and social connections among employees. A practical
implication for organizations can be promoting team-based sports and integrating outdoor
activities.
However, the study is limited by only a couple of theoretical models without empirical
validation and lack of specificity on type of sport and individual and cultural differences. Future
research should include longitudinal studies, specificity of individual and cultural differences,
and a comparison of effects of sport on work stress recovery.
2
,Introduction
In today’s work environment employees are increasingly exposed to long working
hours, high performance demands and so on. This can lead to a high level of stress, which
contributes to burnouts, decreased productivity and diminished well-being for the employees
(Ganster & Rosen, 2013). More research has been done on this topic by Sonnentag and Fritz
(2007). Their research in occupational health psychology has shown that engaging in non-work
related activities can help employees to regain their mental and physical resources.
Gallagher (2012) elaborates on Bandura's Self-Efficacy Theory, which suggests that
psychological treatment influences behavioural change through self-efficacy beliefs. Where
psychological treatment includes interventions to help individuals manage emotions, cope with
stress, and reframe thought patterns. Behavioural change involves adopting healthier habits or
skills to improve well-being and productivity. Self-efficacy refers to confidence in one’s ability
to perform tasks and overcome challenges. Sports promote a sense of achievement and control,
strengthening self-efficacy, which can reduce the adverse effects of work stress by building
resilience and a positive outcome.
There still needs to be more research about how sports contribute to recovery from work
stress and the mechanisms underlying their positive influence. Therefore this study aims to
examine the following question: ‘Does the influence of sports help to recover better from daily
work stress?’ To find an answer to this question the main part of this paper will discuss the
Stress Reduction Theory, the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model, the Social Exchange
Theory, the Self-Regulation Theory (SRT) and the Biopsychosocial Model.
Theoretical Perspectives
The main question in this report is ‘Does the influence of sports help to recover better
from daily work stress?’ This question includes a range of theories in occupational health
psychology, organizational behaviour, and physical activity research. In the following section
there will be a theoretical review which gives more insight in the influence of physical activity
to help in recovering from work stress. In this report, ‘sport’ is conceptualized as a physical
activity that employees engage in to promote psychological and physiological well-being. For
studying stress the most prominent method is a combination of biological and psychological
data collection which are used in the following models and theories.
Stress Reduction Theory in Organizations
3
, The Stress Reduction Theory by Ulrich (1983) focuses on how exposure to nature and
restorative environments can help reduce stress. Ulrich declares that some environments, such
as those rich in natural elements like plants, water, and open spaces, promote a physiological
reduction in stress, while others do not. This theory essentially focus on passive exposure to
nature, such as walking in a park or sitting by a lake, as an effective method for stress reduction.
Building on this, sports activities performed in natural or calming settings can extend the
restorative benefits of nature by combining physical activity with the calming effects of the
environment. For employees, engaging in such activities can aid in managing and reducing the
effects of work stress. Activities like jogging in a park, cycling along nature trails, or practicing
yoga outdoors not only help to lower the stress level but also promote psychological detachment
from work. This theory can be applied on the research of Hansmann et al. (2007) where they
did a field survey to understand the effects of visiting the park and individuals practicing sports.
The research supports previous research on how a specific environment and sport promotes the
recovery of stress. The report of Sonnentag and Fritz (2007) goes deeper into the engagement
in sport activities to renew mental clarity, reduce fatigue and improve mood. Sport activities
support the physical and mental separation from work tasks, allowing employees to restore their
cognitive and physical resources.
Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model
The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model explains how job characteristics influence
employee well-being and performance in organisational settings (Bakker and Demerouti,
2016). It distinguishes between job demands, such as high workloads or time pressure, which
require physical and mental effort and can lead to stress or burnout, and job resources, like
supportive environments and self-efficacy, which help employees manage demands of work
and maintain motivation. Personal resources, including resilience, self-confidence, and
emotional regulation, play a vital role in promoting work engagement. They increase
employees’ ability to cope with challenges and maintain focus and energy. When personal and
job resources balance or outweigh demands, employees are better equipped to avoid negative
outcomes like burnout. Sports can be conceptualized as an external resource that boost physical
and psychological well-being. Physical activity reduces cortisol levels, enhances mood through
endorphins and dopamine, and promotes resilience and self-efficacy (Hill et al., 2008;
Sonnentag and Fritz, 2007). These benefits help employees recover from work stress.
Social exchange theory
4
STRESS THROUGH SPORTS
Course: Human Behaviour in Organisations
Course coordinator: Wilken Wehrt
Deadline: 13 December 2024
Word count: 1909
1
,Abstract
In today’s work environment, employees are more and more exposed to stress, which
can lead to several issues, such as reduced work productivity, burn-out or a decrease in well-
being. This study examines whether participating in sports can help in the recovery of daily
work stress by reviewing theoretical models and theories. These models and theories include
the Stress Reduction Theory, Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model, Social Exchange Theory,
Self-Regulation Theory, and the Biopsychosocial Model. The analysis of the theories focus on
promoting stress recovery with participating in sports.
From the research it can be concluded that sports serve as an effective intervention for
work stress. It improves the resilience and social connections among employees. A practical
implication for organizations can be promoting team-based sports and integrating outdoor
activities.
However, the study is limited by only a couple of theoretical models without empirical
validation and lack of specificity on type of sport and individual and cultural differences. Future
research should include longitudinal studies, specificity of individual and cultural differences,
and a comparison of effects of sport on work stress recovery.
2
,Introduction
In today’s work environment employees are increasingly exposed to long working
hours, high performance demands and so on. This can lead to a high level of stress, which
contributes to burnouts, decreased productivity and diminished well-being for the employees
(Ganster & Rosen, 2013). More research has been done on this topic by Sonnentag and Fritz
(2007). Their research in occupational health psychology has shown that engaging in non-work
related activities can help employees to regain their mental and physical resources.
Gallagher (2012) elaborates on Bandura's Self-Efficacy Theory, which suggests that
psychological treatment influences behavioural change through self-efficacy beliefs. Where
psychological treatment includes interventions to help individuals manage emotions, cope with
stress, and reframe thought patterns. Behavioural change involves adopting healthier habits or
skills to improve well-being and productivity. Self-efficacy refers to confidence in one’s ability
to perform tasks and overcome challenges. Sports promote a sense of achievement and control,
strengthening self-efficacy, which can reduce the adverse effects of work stress by building
resilience and a positive outcome.
There still needs to be more research about how sports contribute to recovery from work
stress and the mechanisms underlying their positive influence. Therefore this study aims to
examine the following question: ‘Does the influence of sports help to recover better from daily
work stress?’ To find an answer to this question the main part of this paper will discuss the
Stress Reduction Theory, the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model, the Social Exchange
Theory, the Self-Regulation Theory (SRT) and the Biopsychosocial Model.
Theoretical Perspectives
The main question in this report is ‘Does the influence of sports help to recover better
from daily work stress?’ This question includes a range of theories in occupational health
psychology, organizational behaviour, and physical activity research. In the following section
there will be a theoretical review which gives more insight in the influence of physical activity
to help in recovering from work stress. In this report, ‘sport’ is conceptualized as a physical
activity that employees engage in to promote psychological and physiological well-being. For
studying stress the most prominent method is a combination of biological and psychological
data collection which are used in the following models and theories.
Stress Reduction Theory in Organizations
3
, The Stress Reduction Theory by Ulrich (1983) focuses on how exposure to nature and
restorative environments can help reduce stress. Ulrich declares that some environments, such
as those rich in natural elements like plants, water, and open spaces, promote a physiological
reduction in stress, while others do not. This theory essentially focus on passive exposure to
nature, such as walking in a park or sitting by a lake, as an effective method for stress reduction.
Building on this, sports activities performed in natural or calming settings can extend the
restorative benefits of nature by combining physical activity with the calming effects of the
environment. For employees, engaging in such activities can aid in managing and reducing the
effects of work stress. Activities like jogging in a park, cycling along nature trails, or practicing
yoga outdoors not only help to lower the stress level but also promote psychological detachment
from work. This theory can be applied on the research of Hansmann et al. (2007) where they
did a field survey to understand the effects of visiting the park and individuals practicing sports.
The research supports previous research on how a specific environment and sport promotes the
recovery of stress. The report of Sonnentag and Fritz (2007) goes deeper into the engagement
in sport activities to renew mental clarity, reduce fatigue and improve mood. Sport activities
support the physical and mental separation from work tasks, allowing employees to restore their
cognitive and physical resources.
Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model
The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model explains how job characteristics influence
employee well-being and performance in organisational settings (Bakker and Demerouti,
2016). It distinguishes between job demands, such as high workloads or time pressure, which
require physical and mental effort and can lead to stress or burnout, and job resources, like
supportive environments and self-efficacy, which help employees manage demands of work
and maintain motivation. Personal resources, including resilience, self-confidence, and
emotional regulation, play a vital role in promoting work engagement. They increase
employees’ ability to cope with challenges and maintain focus and energy. When personal and
job resources balance or outweigh demands, employees are better equipped to avoid negative
outcomes like burnout. Sports can be conceptualized as an external resource that boost physical
and psychological well-being. Physical activity reduces cortisol levels, enhances mood through
endorphins and dopamine, and promotes resilience and self-efficacy (Hill et al., 2008;
Sonnentag and Fritz, 2007). These benefits help employees recover from work stress.
Social exchange theory
4
