Domain-specific physical activity patterns and cardiorespiratory fitness among the working population: Findings from the cross-sectional German Health Interview and Examination Survey

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate associations between occupational physical activity patterns (physical work demands linked to job title) and leisure time physical activity (assessed by questionnaire) with cardiorespiratory fitness (assessed by exercise test) among men and women in the German working population.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional study.SettingTwo-stage cluster-randomised general population sample selected from population registries of 180 nationally distributed sample points. Information was collected from 2008 to 2011.Participants1296 women and 1199 men aged 18–64 from the resident working population.Outcome measureEstimated low maximal oxygen consumption (V˙O2max), defined as first and second sex-specific quintile, assessed by a standardised, submaximal cycle ergometer test.ResultsLow estimatedV˙O2maxwas strongly linked to low leisure time physical activity, but not occupational physical activity. The association of domain-specific physical activity patterns with lowV˙O2maxvaried by sex: women doing no leisure time physical activity with high occupational physical activity levels were more likely to have lowV˙O2max(OR 6.54; 95% CI 2.98 to 14.3) compared with women with ≥2 hours of leisure time physical activity and high occupational physical activity. Men with no leisure time physical activity and low occupational physical activity had the highest odds of lowV˙O2max(OR 4.37; 95% CI 2.02 to 9.47).ConclusionThere was a strong association between patterns of leisure time and occupational physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness within the adult working population in Germany. Women doing no leisure time physical activity were likely to have poor cardiorespiratory fitness, especially if they worked in physically demanding jobs. However, further investigation is needed to understand the relationships between activity and fitness in different domains. Current guidelines do not distinguish between activity during work and leisure time, so specifying leisure time recommendations by occupational physical activity level should be considered.

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Domain-specific physical activity patterns and cardiorespiratory fitness among adults in Germany

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.639 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

J Zeiher ◽

M Duch ◽

L E Kroll ◽

G B M Mensink ◽

J D Finger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Adult Population ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Strong Association ◽

Maximal Oxygen Consumption ◽

Cycle Ergometer ◽

Physical Measurements

Abstract Background Studies show that occupational physical activity (OPA) has less health-enhancing effects than leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). The spare data available suggests that OPA rarely includes aerobic PAs with little or no enhancing effects on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) as a possible explanation. This study aims to investigate the associations between patterns of OPA and LTPA and CRF among adults in Germany. Methods 1,204 men and 1,303 women (18-64 years), who participated in the German Health Interview and Examination Survey 2008-2011, completed a standardized sub-maximal cycle ergometer test to estimate maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Job positions were coded according to the level of physical effort to construct an occupational PA index and categorized as low vs. high OPA. LTPA was assessed via questionnaires and dichotomized in no vs. any LTPA participation. A combined LTPA/OPA variable was used (high OPA/ LTPA, low OPA/LTPA, high OPA/no LTPA, low OPA/no LTPA). Information on potential confounders was obtained via questionnaires (e.g., smoking and education) or physical measurements (e.g., waist circumference). Multi-variable logistic regression was used to analyze associations between OPA/LTPA patterns and VO2max. Results Preliminary analyses showed that less-active men were more likely to have a low VO2max with odds ratios (ORs) of 0.80 for low OPA/LTPA, 1.84 for high OPA/no LTPA and 3.46 for low OPA/no LTPA compared to high OPA/LTPA. The corresponding ORs for women were 1.11 for low OPA/LTPA, 3.99 for high OPA/no LTPA and 2.44 for low OPA/no LTPA, indicating the highest likelihood of low fitness for women working in physically demanding jobs and not engaging in LTPA. Conclusions Findings confirm a strong association between LTPA and CRF and suggest an interaction between OPA and LTPA patterns on CRF within the workforce in Germany. Women without LTPA are at high risk of having a low CRF, especially if they work in physically demanding jobs. Key messages Women not practicing leisure-time physical activity are at risk of having a low cardiorespiratory fitness, especially if they work in physically demanding jobs. Different impact of domains of physical activity should be considered when planning interventions to enhance fitness among the adult population.

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Leisure-Time Physical Activity Patterns by Weight Control Status

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/mss.0b013e3180333efc ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 39 (5) ◽

pp. 788-795 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

JUDY KRUGER ◽

MICHELLE M. YORE ◽

HAROLD W. KOHL

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Control ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Physical Activity Patterns

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Leisure time physical activity patterns in Odisha, India

Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome Clinical Research & Reviews ◽

10.1016/j.dsx.2017.09.009 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 227-234 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

G. Shankar Ganesh ◽

Rishee Patel ◽

Vikram Dwivedi ◽

Deepak Chhabra ◽

P. Balakishore ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Physical Activity Patterns

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Leisure-Time Physical Activity Patterns and Correlates Among Pregnant Women in Ontario, Canada

Maternal and Child Health Journal ◽

10.1007/s10995-012-1021-z ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 477-484 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Anca Gaston ◽

Cheryl A. Vamos

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Physical Activity Patterns

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Is fatigue after work a barrier for leisure-time physical activity? Cross-sectional study among 10,000 adults from the general working population

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/1403494818765894 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 383-391 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Rúni Bláfoss ◽

Jéssica K. Micheletti ◽

Emil Sundstrup ◽

Markus D. Jakobsen ◽

Hans Bay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Workers ◽

High Intensity ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Trend Test ◽

Working Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work Related ◽

Younger Workers

Aim: In spite of the many health-related benefits of regular physical activity, fatiguing work may be a barrier to performing leisure-time physical activity. This study investigates the association between work-related fatigue and the duration of low- and high-intensity leisure-time physical activity in workers with sedentary and physically demanding jobs. Methods: From the 2010 round of the Danish Work Environment Cohort Study, currently employed wage earners from the general working population ( N=10,427) replied to questions about work-related fatigue (predictor) and duration of low- and high-intensity leisure-time physical activity (outcome). Associations were modelled using general linear models controlling for various confounders. Results: Among workers with physically demanding jobs, higher levels of work-related fatigue were associated with gradually lower levels of leisure-time physical activity – for low, moderate and high levels of work-related fatigue the duration of high-intensity leisure-time physical activity was 133 (95% confidence interval (CI) 127–178), 134 (95% CI 109–160) and 113 (95% CI 86–140) min per week, respectively (trend test p<0.001). The duration of high-intensity leisure-time physical activity was lower among older workers (≥50 years) compared to younger workers (<50 years) (132 ± 126 vs 168 ± 150 min per week) ( p<0.0001). Conclusions: The duration of high-intensity leisure-time physical activity gradually decreases with increased work-related fatigue in workers with physically demanding jobs. Older workers perform less high-intensity physical activity than younger workers. Workplaces should consider initiatives to allow workers with physically demanding jobs and older workers to perform physical exercise during working hours and thereby increase physical capacity to meet the job demands.

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