Thompson House staff work out at work

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy hopes that this day raises awareness of the link between inactivity and ill health.

Physiotherapists are ideally placed to work within health promotion schemes to reduce the incidence of heart disease, stroke, muscle or joint pain, plus many other life-limiting conditions.

Physiotherapists were encouraging staff to cycle the distance from the Ulster Hospital to the Aviva Stadium, Dublin by jumping on an exercise bike in the Oasis restaurant.

Staff were happy to help, following example from Trust Chief Executive, Hugh McCaughey who was the first person on the bike on Friday morning.

Thompson House Hospital Staff in Lisburn embarked on covering the distance of a half marathon.

Visitors and staff excelled themselves by covering over 40 miles during the working day.

Shona Pryde, Physiotherapist Team Leader said: “There were smiles all round as staff saw the immediate benefits of as little as a 10 minute lunchtime walk could boost their mood and productivity in addition to the long term benefits of physical activity on mental and physical health.”