Walking at work: a pedometer study assessing the activity levels of doctors

The World Health Organisation cites a sedentary lifestyle as one of the top ten causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.4 A recent, large-scale clinical study showed that brisk walking and vigorous exercise are associated with substantial (and similar) reductions in the incidence of coronary heart disease. Current guidelines suggest 10,000 steps per day as an appropriate activity target for healthy adults.

This study aims to assess whether doctors are meeting this daily walking target during working-hours, and whether additional out-of-hours exercise is required.

16 doctors from St. John's Hospital in Livingston (comprising 4 Medical Consultants, 4 Surgical Consultants, 4 Medical PRHOs and 4 Surgical PRHOs) each used a belt-worn pedometer to record all steps made during 5 consecutive day shifts. Stride length and total daily steps were recorded. Steps made out-with working hours were not counted. Total steps and hours worked were recorded at the end of each day.

Average daily steps recorded were 7907 (Medical PRHOs), 5068 (Surgical PRHOs), 4822 (Surgical Consultants) and 4647 (Medical Consultants). P values of < 0.1 were obtained for the variation in steps between the Medical PRHOs and both the Consultant Surgeons and Consultant Physicians. Distance walked per shift varied from 3.84 (Consultant Physicians) to 6.85 kilometres (Medical PRHOs).

Walking at work does provide a substantial proportion of a doctor's recommended daily activity quota. However, it is still necessary to engage in additional, out-of-hours exercise in order to consistently meet the current recommendations for physical exercise.