Physical Challenge Interventions and the Development of Transferable Skills for the Workplace: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study presents a systematic review and meta-analysis synthesising the existing research on the effectiveness of interventions featuring physical challenges for developing transferable skills and psychological health outcomes. Results from 47 independent samples across 44 studies revealed that the overall proximal effects of the interventions were medium (g = 0.51) and that effects gradually diminished over time (g = 0.39). Analyses across individual outcomes revealed interventions positively influenced interpersonal (g = 0.55), intrapersonal (g = 0.53), and cognitive skills (g = 0.53), as well as psychological health outcomes (g = 0.56). Moderator analyses indicate interventions can be potentially beneficial irrespective of design and participants involved. However, the current state of the literature does not truly allow for thorough conclusions to be made regarding the appropriateness and effectiveness of physical challenge interventions for organizational settings. Transferable skills, described as interpersonal (e.g., communication), intrapersonal (e.g., resilience), and cognitive skills (e.g., problem-solving), have been identified as indispensable human resources in modern-day workplaces. Researchers have found these skills to be associated with numerous desirable performance (e.g., productivity) and health outcomes (e.g., reduced burnout). Therefore, the demand for occupational initiatives which can develop transferable skills is growing and workplaces are increasingly looking outside of work settings for training and development opportunities. Physical challenge interventions which feature novel outdoor environments and recreational physical challenges (e.g., rock climbing and high ropes courses), in particular, are gaining popularity as a method for enhancing employees' transferable skills and psychological wellbeing. However, no review has attempted to synthesize this body of research relative to the occupational domain. This paper evaluated published literature to identify the types of transferable skills and psychological health-related outcomes that can be developed in working-age adults through participating in physical challenge interventions. Our findings suggest physical challenge interventions can have positive short-and long-term effects on transferable skills, particularly interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, and support psychological health. However, due to the current state of the literature, we are not able to determine whether positive changes transfer to workplaces nor make thorough conclusions on the appropriateness and effectiveness of physical challenge interventions for organizational settings. In our discussions, we highlight methodological limitations of the current evidence base, issues concerning intervention implementation in organizational settings, and provide recommendations for future research.