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

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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Clearing your mind of work-related stress through moderate-to-vigorous and leisure-time physical activity: What "dose" it takes?

10.1101/2020.05.11.20097931 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jean-Philippe Lachance ◽

Marc Corbiere ◽

Gabriel Hains-Monfette ◽

Paquito Bernard

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Additive Models ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work Related Stress ◽

Work Related ◽

Modifiable Factors ◽

Related Stress

Background. Work is reported as one of the main sources of psychological stress. Because of its role in the onset of burnout and impact on economic and health systems, work-related stress (WS) has become an issue of much concern. Among modifiable factors capable of reducing WS, two categories of physical activity (PA), namely leisure-time and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (LTPA and MVPA), show promising evidence. Previous findings suggest that LTPA and MVPA allow adults to experience psychological detachment from job demands and restore their depleted resources at work. However, the optimal independent doses of LTPA and MVPA associated with a lower WS level has not yet been established. Methods. The aim of this study was therefore to address this gap using a cross-sectional, nationally representative sample of 4 200 Canadian workers. MVPA was measured through accelerometry and a self-reported assessment was conducted to collect data on WS and LTPA. Results. Generalized additive models indicated that one hour a day on average spent doing a LTPA of 8.5 METs-hour was associated with the highest benefits on WS (p < 0.001, Adjusted R2 = 0.04) while the optimal average daily dose of MVPA was around 90 minutes (p < 0.001, Adjusted R2 = 0.04). Noteworthy, first signs of WS reduction appear long before optimum is reached (e.g. 30 minutes of MVPA), stressing the relevance of merely doing an LTPA/MVPA regardless of the dose. Conclusion. Findings offer practical recommendations for public health policies on the optimal doses of MVPA/LTPA associated with decreased WS.

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

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034610 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. e034610

Author(s):

Johannes Zeiher ◽

Maurice Duch ◽

Lars E Kroll ◽

Gert B M Mensink ◽

Jonas D Finger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Occupational Physical Activity ◽

Working Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physical Activity Patterns ◽

Domain Specific

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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Opposite Effects of Work-Related Physical Activity and Leisure-Time Physical Activity on the Risk of Diabetes in Korean Adults

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17165812 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (16) ◽

pp. 5812

Author(s):

Hyun Sook Oh

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

High Intensity ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Fasting Blood Glucose ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Probit Model ◽

Physical Activities ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Work Related

The object of this study was to examine the effects of domestic and work-related physical activity (DWPA) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) on the risk of diabetes, by categorizing fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels into normal, Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG), and diabetes. The sample consisted of 4661 adults aged 30 years or above, and was chosen from the 2017 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data. Of all the subjects, 14.6% engaged in high-intensity DWPA and 6.25% in moderate-intensity DWPA; while 11.68% and 24.80% engaged in high- and moderate-intensity LTPA, respectively. The effects of both types of physical activities on the risk of diabetes were analyzed using a Bayesian ordered probit model. For those with high-intensity DWPA, the probability of the FBG level being normal was 5.10% (SE = 0.25) lower than for those with non-high-intensity DWPA, and the probabilities of IFG and diabetes were 3.30% (SE = 0.15) and 1.79% (SE = 0.09) higher, respectively. However, for those with high-intensity LTPA, the probability of the FBG level being normal was 2.54% (SE = 0.09) higher, and the probabilities of IFG and diabetes were 1.74% (SE = 0.07) and 0.80% (SE = 0.03) lower, respectively, than those with non-high-intensity LTPA. Likewise, for moderate-intensity DWPA and LTPA, the results were the same compared to low-intensity physical activities though the magnitude of the effects were smaller than for high-intensity. Thus, the activities related to work have a negative effect and those related to leisure have a positive effect. The criteria for physical activities to reduce the risk of diabetes should be set by separating these domains of physical activity, and new management strategies for diabetes are needed for people with moderate- or high-intensity DWPA.

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Physical activity during work and leisure show contrasting associations with fear-avoidance beliefs: cross-sectional study among more than 10,000 wage earners of the general working population

Scandinavian Journal of Pain ◽

10.1515/sjpain-2017-0136 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 71-79

Author(s):

Annika Tribian ◽

Jonas Vinstrup ◽

Emil Sundstrup ◽

Kenneth Jay ◽

Klaus Bös ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Fear Avoidance ◽

Working Population ◽

Fear Avoidance Beliefs ◽

High Physical Activity ◽

Work Related ◽

Wage Earners

Abstract Background and aims: The association between different types of physical activity and fear-avoidance beliefs remains unclear. This study investigates the association between work-related and leisure-time physical activity with fear-avoidance beliefs in the general working population. Methods: Currently employed wage earners (n=10,427) from the 2010 round of the Danish Work Environment Cohort Study replied to questions about work, lifestyle and health. General linear models controlling for lifestyle, psychosocial work factors, education, pain, medication-use and chronic diseases tested associations of work-related and leisure-time physical activity (explanatory variables) with fear-avoidance beliefs (outcome variable, scale 0–100). Results: The level of fear-avoidance was 41.7 (SD 27.3), 38.0 (SD 26.9) and 54.3 (SD 27.7) among the general working population, a subgroup of pain-free individuals, and a subgroup with back disease, respectively. In the general working population, the level of fear-avoidance among those with low, moderate and high physical activity during leisure were 47 [95% confidence intervals (CI) 45–49], 44 (95% CI 42–46) and 43 (95% CI 41–45), and physical activity at work were 40 (95% CI 39–42), 44 (95% CI 42–46) and 49 (95% CI 48–51), respectively. Individuals with back disease and a high level of physical activity at work showed the overall highest level of fear-avoidance whereas pain-free individuals with a low level of physical activity at work showed the overall lowest level of fear-avoidance. Conclusions: Physical activity during work and leisure shows contrasting associations with fear-avoidance beliefs. While high physical activity during leisure is associated with lower levels, high physical activity at work is associated with higher levels of fear-avoidance. Implications: The present results may reflect some deeply rooted negative beliefs about pain and work in the population. On the societal level, campaigns may be a possible way forward as these have shown to improve beliefs about musculoskeletal pain and work.

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Visual Acuity’s Association With Levels of Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.20.1.1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mark W. Swanson ◽

Eric Bodner ◽

Patricia Sawyer ◽

Richard M. Allman

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Visual Acuity ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

University Of Alabama ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The University

Little is known about the effect of reduced vision on physical activity in older adults. This study evaluates the association of visual acuity level, self-reported vision, and ocular disease conditions with leisure-time physical activity and calculated caloric expenditure. A cross-sectional study of 911 subjects 65 yr and older from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging (SOA) cohort was conducted evaluating the association of vision-related variables to weekly kilocalorie expenditure calculated from the 17-item Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. Ordinal logistic regression was used to evaluate possible associations while controlling for potential confounders. In multivariate analyses, each lower step in visual acuity below 20/50 was significantly associated with reduced odds of having a higher level of physical activity, OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.67, 0.97. Reduced visual acuity appears to be independently associated with lower levels of physical activity among community-dwelling adults.

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Occupational and Leisure-Time Physical Activity Have Different Relationships With Health: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study of Working Nurses

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2020-0415 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Helen M. Parker ◽

Robyn Gallagher ◽

Christine Duffield ◽

Ding Ding ◽

David Sibbritt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Survey Study ◽

Physical Work ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

South Wales ◽

Activity Questionnaires

Background: Recent research has focused on the potential benefits of physical activity in occupational settings in addition to leisure time. However, occupational physical activity (OPA) differs substantially for occupations that require heavy and repetitive physical work, such as nursing. We explored associations between leisure time and OPA and health outcomes in working nurses and midwives. Methods: Nurses who were enrolled in the Fit For the Future study (New South Wales, Australia) and who completed physical activity questionnaires (n = 4343) were classified according to high (HO) or low (LO) occupational and high (HL) or low (LL) leisure-time physical activity (LTPA): HO performed walking/heavy labor most/all of the time at work; HL met the guidelines of 150 minutes per week moderate to vigorous LTPA, creating 4 categories: HOLL, HOHL, LOHL, and LOLL. Results: HL predicted better self-rated health (unstandardized B = 0.51, 95% confidence interval, 0.44 to 0.57) and lower likelihood of ≥3 sick days in the past 12 months (OR: 0.71, 95% confidence interval, 0.61 to 0.83), whereas HO predicted higher likelihood of ≥3 sick days (OR: 1.17, 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.35), adjusting for all variables. Conclusions: OPA may not confer the same health benefits as LTPA for nurses. Health-promoting interventions should emphasize the importance of achieving adequate moderate to vigorous LTPA for all, including those undertaking substantial OPA.

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Associations of the Neighborhood Built Environment With Physical Activity Across Pregnancy

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2020-0510 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Kiarri N. Kershaw ◽

Derek J. Marsh ◽

Emma G. Crenshaw ◽

Rebecca B. McNeil ◽

Victoria L. Pemberton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Built Environment ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Relative Risks ◽

Recreation Areas ◽

General Populations ◽

Neighborhood Built Environment

Background: Several features of the neighborhood built environment have been shown to promote leisure-time physical activity (PA) in the general population, but few studies have examined its impact on PA during pregnancy. Methods: Data were extracted from 8362 Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be cohort participants (2010–2013). Residential address information was linked to 3 built environment characteristics: number of gyms and recreation areas within a 3-km radius of residence and census block level walkability. Self-reported leisure-time PA was measured in each trimester and dichotomized as meeting PA guidelines or not. Relative risks for cross-sectional associations between neighborhood characteristics and meeting PA guidelines were estimated using Poisson regression. Results: More gyms and recreation areas were each associated with a greater chance of meeting PA guidelines in models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and preexisting conditions. Associations were strongest in the third trimester where each doubling in counts of gyms and recreation areas was associated with 10% (95% confidence interval, 1.07–1.13) and 8% (95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.12), respectively, greater likelihood of meeting PA guidelines. Associations were similar though weaker for walkability. Conclusions: Results from a large, multisite cohort suggest that these built environment characteristics have similar PA-promoting benefits in pregnant women as seen in more general populations.

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