Physical Activity in the Workplace: Does Just Working Meet Activity Recommendations?. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quinn, Tyler D.; Kline, Christopher E.; F. Nagle, Elizabeth; Radonovich, Lewis J.; Barone Gibbs, Bethany
• Is Part Of: Workplace health & safety. Volume 70:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: 81
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: occupational physical activity -- occupational health -- sedentary behavior -- activity patterns; Industrial nursing -- Periodicals; 610.734605
• DOI: 10.1177/21650799211055174
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2165-0799

Abstract

Background : The physical activity (PA) health paradox hypothesizes that occupational physical activity (OPA) and leisure time PA have differential cardiovascular health effects due to increased cardiovascular load without adequate recovery; however, research describing worker PA lacks high-quality objective OPA measurement. This study aimed to objectively describe PA profiles of men reporting high OPA and make comparisons to aerobic PA and OPA recommendations. Methods : Male food service, material moving, health care, or maintenance workers wore activity (ActiGraph ® and activPAL ® ) and heart rate monitors for 7 days. Participants recorded work, non-work, and sleep times in a diary. PA was operationalized as time spent in sedentary behavior, upright time, light, moderate, vigorous, and moderate-to-vigorous PA during work and non-work hours. PA profiles were described and compared with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aerobic PA guidelines (≥21.4 minute/day) and OPA recommendations (<30 minute/hour upright and intensity of <30% heart rate reserve). Findings : Nineteen male workers (68% White, age = 46.6±7.9 years) were more active on workdays than non-workdays (sedentary: 492.3 vs. 629.7 minute/day; upright: 462.4 vs. 325.2 minute/day; moderate-to-vigorous PA: 72.4 vs. 41.5 minute/day, respectively; all p < .05). Most participants (17/19) achieved aerobic PA guidelines across all days with more achieving on workdays (19/19) than non-workdays (13/19). OPA often exceeded recommended limits with participants accumulating 39.6±12.2 minutes/work hour upright and 30.3±25.9% of working time >30% heart rate reserve. Conclusions/Application to Practice : Male workers reporting high OPA typically met aerobic PA guidelines but exceeded recommended OPA limits. The long-term health implications of such activity profiles should be investigated.