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Published on: January 22, 2018
Cardiovascular Responses to Occupational Physical Activity Are Exaggerated by Work-Related Stress and Low Fitness
Tyler D Quinn1, Timothy Bruehwiler, Paul D Chantler
1From the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, West Virginia (T.D.Q., B.B.G.); Department of Occupational Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia (T.B.); and Division of Exercise Physiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia (P.D.C., B.B.G.).
Objectives:
Paradoxical associations between high occupational physical activity (OPA) and cardiovascular disease may be explained by exaggerated cardiovascular responses from high work-related stress or low worker fitness.
Methods:
OPA, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and rate-pressure product (RPP; HR × BP) were measured objectively for 24 hours in 19 male workers. Work-related stress was measured using the Stress in General Scale. Fitness was estimated using a submaximal treadmill test. Effect modification by work-related stress and fitness on associations between OPA and cardiovascular responses was examined using mixed models with interactions.
Results:
Associations between OPA and RPP, HR, and BP were stronger with high stress ( P < 0.05). Associations of work-time moderate and vigorous physical activity and RPP were attenuated with higher fitness ( P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
OPA performed under high work-related stress or by workers with low fitness may exaggerate cardiovascular responses to OPA.
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