Keeping up a regular workout regime may help to boost productivity and remove the need for late nights in the office finishing off work, according to a new study.

Researchers from University of Otago have found that, in lab rats at least, a daily exercise session is sufficient to increase task productivity throughout the day. Their study, published in the US journal PLOS ONE identified improved problem-solving, persistence and strategy execution in performing tasks among rats that ran 20 minutes a day for five days a week.

“We all know exercise is good for our physical and mental health, but this data suggests that regular exercise may also help make you more productive when it comes to getting tasks accomplished each day,” said study lead author Dr Kristin Hillman.

“Links between exercise and occupational/educational achievement are starting to be noted in humans, but these links are largely correlations and can be riddled with confounding psychosocial factors. By using an animal model we obviously eliminate such factors, and are able to demonstrate a causal relationship between regular exercise and generalised industriousness.”

The findings follow a recent University of California study which concluded that cities which strive to promote physical activity gain a significant economic advantage from benefits such as lower healthcare costs and improved productivity.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, research from Penn State College of Medicine has suggested that obesity is one of the underlying causes for regular excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) – a condition that can make it difficult to complete tasks and consistently perform at an optimum level.