Employees in Exeter are believed to be among the first in the world to be offered a genetic test to help them improve their health and fitness.
Landmark Information Group has teamed up with British Olympian and double Commonwealth Games medal-winning cyclist Jess Varnish and British nutrigenetics firm DNAFit Life Sciences to offer DNAFit, a test which reveals the best workout and diet to help weight loss and improve wellness.
The company, which specialises in environmental reports and digital mapping, is thought to be the first in the world to offer 'genetically guided corporate wellness programmes' to help employees manage their diet and boost their fitness.
Jess, who visited Landmark's Sowton office on Monday, has used the DNAFit test to refine her training and 50 employees at Landmark have followed suit, including CEO Mark Milner. All will receive their own bespoke DNAFit diet, nutrition and exercise plans to help change their lives.
They will also have the chance to join in Landmark's Bike Week 'Jess's JOGLE' challenge – to 'virtually' cycle the 955 miles from John O'Groats to Land's End. Exercise bikes allowing all employees to take up the challenge will be located at the firm's offices in Exeter, Brighton and Reading.
Participating employees are also helping to raise money for Cycling Projects, which promotes accessible cycling nationwide. All employees will also be invited to attend genetic workshops hosted by DNAFit consultant and athlete Andrew Steele, who used the programme as part of his training for the British Olympics men's 400m.
Landmark's health and wellbeing initiative comes at a time when the NHS has raised concerns that obesity is causing millions to suffer life-long illness. NHS chief executive Simon Stevens will publish plans next month to encourage private companies to help employees lose weight by holding slimming classes, running clubs and promote cycling.
"At Landmark, we are already powering ahead by promoting healthy lifestyles through a range of initiatives, like Jess's JOGLE challenge," said chief technology officer Ian Clarke.
"A healthy employee is a productive employee. DNAFit enables employees to know the very best diet for their own genetics and train according to their unique genetic makeup, in the process influencing behavioural change and creating motivation."
The revolutionary DNAFit test – which made news around the world when it was revealed it was being used by English Premier League soccer teams and Olympic athletes – scans up to 45 gene variants linked to a body's capacity to cope with training and food. The tests reveal if a person is best suited to endurance exercise (heavy cardio) or power exercise (weights and sprints), how much recovery time is needed between training and the risk of soft tissue damage.
In a recent study of 191 obese people by the University of Trieste, those using a DNA matched diet lost 33 per cent more weight than those counting calories. The DNAFit test also reveals a person's carbohydrate and saturated fat sensitivity, lactose and gluten intolerance risk, as well as their ideal diet, detox ability, anti-oxidant needs, vitamin and micronutrient intake, salt and caffeine sensitivity.
Jess said: "I think it's excellent that Landmark is the first to offer this test to its employees. It's really important to me to promote positive values around overall fitness, health and wellbeing. As Landmark's ambassador I'm really excited to see how they are embedding this approach as part of their own internal ethos."
DNAFit founder Avi Lasarow added: "We're delighted Landmark has become the first firm to offer genetic testing for its employees. They will now be able to train and eat smarter, confident that they have a workout and diet that is personalised."
For more information visit www.landmarkbikeweek.co.uk and follow Landmark's Twitter account @LandmarkUK #blazeatrail.
To support the week and make a donation to Cycle Projects, please visit the JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/landmarkbikeweek/
