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A physically active occupation does not result in compensatory inactivity during out-of-work hours
William W Tigbe1, Michael E J Lean, Malcolm H Granat
1School of Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, UK. William.Tigbe@gcal.ac.uk
Preventive Medicine
|May 18, 2011
Summary
Workers with physically demanding jobs do not compensate with more inactivity during their free time. Occupational physical activity levels do not influence non-work physical activity patterns.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Physical Activity Research
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Understanding the relationship between occupational physical activity (OPA) and non-occupational physical activity (NOPA) is crucial for public health.
- Previous research suggests potential for compensation, where high OPA might lead to reduced NOPA, but evidence is mixed.
- This study investigates whether physically active occupations influence physical activity levels during non-work hours.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare non-occupational physical activity behavior between workers in high and low occupational physical activity roles.
- To determine if a physically demanding job is associated with reduced physical activity during leisure time.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 112 postal workers in Glasgow, Scotland (2007).
- Participants were categorized into active (56 walking postal delivery workers) and inactive (56 administrative postal workers) occupations.
- Twenty-four-hour physical activity patterns (steps, time standing, walking, sedentary) were measured using activPAL™ for seven days, comparing work-shifts, non-work hours on workdays, and non-work days.
Main Results:
- Delivery staff exhibited significantly higher upright time (6.0 vs. 3.9 h), walking time (3.1 vs. 1.6 h), and steps (16,035 vs. 6709) during work-shifts and on workdays compared to administrative staff.
- No significant differences in physical activity were observed between the groups during non-work hours on workdays or during the two non-work days.
- These findings remained consistent after excluding female participants.
Conclusions:
- Engaging in a physically active occupation does not appear to lead to increased inactivity during non-work hours.
- The study suggests that occupational demands and non-occupational activity patterns are largely independent.
- These results have implications for designing public health interventions aimed at increasing overall physical activity.
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