Most wellness programs offer employee incentives for participation, but a recent experiment using teachers and academic achievement tested the idea of giving a reward upfront with a risk of losing it if goals were not met. Researchers said businesses do not have a good understanding of how important loss aversion is to employees. Sally Sadoff of the University of California, San Diego, said some evidence shows using it with teams can be effective. Employee Benefit News (10/1)
Research suggests exercise can aid skill development
University of Copenhagen researchers said exercising may help people learn new physical skills because it prompts the brain to consolidate and store physical or motor memories. The research builds on earlier studies that focused on intellectual tasks and showed regular exercise may improve the brain’s overall ability to remember. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/Well blog (9/26)