Impact of Telework on Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Physical Symptoms in Japanese Workers

This study examined the associations between telework frequency and physical function, body composition, and physical symptoms among Japanese office workers.

This cross-sectional study included 93 workers from Tokyo. Telework frequency was categorized into four groups: no telework, ≤1, 2-3, and ≥4 d/wk. The 30-second chair stand test, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and the Japanese version of the Somatic Symptom Scale-8 (SSS-8) were used for assessment.

A higher telework frequency was significantly associated with lower chair-standing test performance ( P for trend = 0.048). No significant trends were observed in skeletal muscle mass or body fat percentage. Severe physical symptoms (SSS-8 score ≥16) were more prevalent among high-frequency teleworkers ( P < 0.05).

These findings highlight the need for interventions to mitigate the negative impacts of telework on workers' physical fitness.