An initiative to promote physical exercise in the workplace was recently set up by the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Micheál Martin.Slí, designed by the Irish Heart Foundation, is the second phase of Slí na Sláinte (Path to Health), developed in 1996 to promote walking for pleasure and health.

Slí 2 incorporates the Slí na Sláinte challenge, where people gain a silver pin after walking 500 kilometres and a gold pin after 1,000 kilometres. The Easter weekend is a good time to begin the challenge, which aims to encourage walking for about 30 minutes a day, not necessarily in one session. The initiative is supported by 101 Slí na Sláinte walks nationwide.

A sluggish manager or worker is unlikely to produce his or her best work. Walking reduces the risk of heart disease, obesity and diabetes. It exercises the heart, lungs and blood vessels, reducing stress, the chances of high-blood pressure or the risk of heart attack.

Slí involves putting up motivational signs for use in workplaces such as offices, shops and hospitals, which include messages such as one designed to be placed near lifts and stairways showing a person mounting the steps with the slogan "Free Exercise Machine". In smaller letters, it reads: "Walk the stairs - it'll do your heart good."

Signs designed for exits from buildings indicate the proximity of nearby destinations. Entitled "Time to Walk?" sample signs read: "From here to: Sydney Parade Dart Station: 2.2 km (24 minutes); Merrion Gates: 1.4 km (18 minutes)."

The "How Why When" signs read: "Walk. It'll do your heart good. How? Just 30 minutes brisk walking every day. Why? To beat stress and have a healthier heart. When? Whenever you like."

It explains that three 10-minute walks have the same benefit as one 30-minute walk.

Speaking at the introduction of Slí earlier this month, Minister Martin said: "About six out of 10 Irish people do not take enough physical activity for health benefits. This innovative initiative will encourage more people to incorporate at least 30 minutes of physical activity, particularly walking, into everyday lifestyle for health benefits."

Organisations already involved in Slí 2 include the Department of Health and Children, SIPTU, Arnotts and RTÉ. SIPTU president Mr Des Geraghty said: "Since we introduced Slí, more people are actually using the stairs and colleagues are more inclined to walk around town. I would recommend it as an excellent in-house health tool to all companies and organisations."

Mr Paddy Murphy, Slí na Sláinte executive director, described Slí as a "simple, inexpensive and unobtrusive way of playing a part in promoting a healthier lifestyle for staff and customers. We've received an overwhelming response from all sectors to date and would be happy to team up with everybody in the workplace."

Companies or organisations that introduce Slí 2 agree to create an environment that encourages workers and customers to take physical exercise. Motivational signs are complemented by circulating Slí newsletters and leaflets, introducing the Slí challenge and starting a Slí club.

Organisations deciding to implement Slí 2 are visited by a member of the Slí team to brief a staff member on the project and to carry out a survey of the workplace to find out how many of each sign is required. The Slí member measures walking distances to key nearby locations and this information is added to exit signs. The artwork for all signs is prepared and sent to the organisation for approval, together with an order form. The organisation's logo appears on all signs.

Ms Barbara Dalton, programme manager of Slí na Sláinte, told The Irish Times that "Walking for Health" workshops can also be run in workplaces. The workshop for groups of 15 to 20 people lasts six hours. One or two participants from these workshops could elect to proceed to do a leaders' workshop weekend, with a view to becoming Slí na Sláinte leaders. The leaders' workshops are aimed at people who have a special interest in walking, organising a walking group or developing a route.

An excellent Irish Heart Foundation booklet for trainers covers such matters as walking posture, walking technique, measuring walking speed, developing Slí na Sláinte routes and walking leaders' workshops.

For further information, contact the Irish Heart Foundation: 01- 668 5001; e-mail: info@ irish heart.ie; website: www.irishheart.ie