Investigating associations between physical activity and presenteeism: a scoping review protocol

Investigating Associations Between Physical Activity and Presenteeism - A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to scope the literature on what is currently known between physical activity and presenteeism.

DATA SOURCE

A search strategy was conducting in six scientific databases.

STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Studies written in English about the relation between physical activity and presenteeism were considered for inclusion.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data on definitions and measurement of presenteeism and physical activity were extracted.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The data is categorized according to the understanding of presenteeism of the studies to give a better idea of how this phenomenon is studied in relation to physical activity.

RESULTS

After screening 9773 titles and abstracts and 269 full-text articles, 57 unique articles fulfilled our eligibility criteria. The majority of the articles were published since 2010 and originated predominantly in the United States. Most studies (70%) define presenteeism as lost productivity due to health problems, according to the American line of research, whereas 19% of the studies define it as "working while ill" which refers to the European line of research. The studies that reflected the American school of thought tends to report more results that supported their hypothesis (i.e., that more physical activity is associated with less presenteeism).

CONCLUSION

This review has highlighted the homogeneity in how presenteeism is conceptualized and measured in studies included in our sample. Research on physical activity and presenteeism should be expanded across various disciplines in social sciences to respond to the needs that many researchers have expressed to promote healthier organizations.

Associations between job and workplace factors, health and physical factors, personal factors, and presenteeism among general employees in Japan: A longitudinal study

OBJECTIVE

Presenteeism is gaining attention as an occupational health issue in Japan. However, few studies have longitudinally examined the associations between work- and health-related factors and presenteeism using validated instruments in Japan. Drawing on a theoretical framework, we aimed to examine longitudinal associations between job and workplace factors, health and physical factors, personal factors, and presenteeism among Japanese general employees. We also aimed to use the findings to identify educational factors to reduce presenteeism in the Japanese occupational field.

METHODS

We conducted two surveys (T1: conducted 2019; T2: conducted 2020) in a Japanese food-related company using a self-administered questionnaire. Presenteeism was assessed using a work functioning impairment scale (WFun). We used multiple linear regression analysis to examine the associations between each factor at T1 and presenteeism at T2.

RESULTS

A total of 2914 employees completed the T1 survey (response rate: 55.7%) and 1467 completed the T2 survey. Thus, we analyzed data for 1467 employees. Of these, 1038 (70.8%) were men and 886 (60.4%) were aged over 40 years at T1. The mean presenteeism score at T2 was 15.06 (standard deviation: 6.22). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that job demands, self-rated health status, dietary choices, and health literacy were associated with presenteeism after 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that job demands, self-rated health status, dietary habits, and health literacy were associated with higher degree of presenteeism in future. Further intervention studies focusing on these factors are needed to develop and examine effective interventions to reduce presenteeism in Japan.

The Prospective Association Between Physical Activity, Insomnia Symptoms and Productivity in an Australian Population-based Cohort

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the joint, prospective associations of physical inactivity and insomnia symptoms and productivity using the 2013 and 2014 Household Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia Survey panel data.

METHODS

The association between i) presenteeism (yes/no, n=5864) and ii) absenteeism (sick leave days, n = 4324) and the mutually exclusive groups "active without insomnia", "active with insomnia", "inactive without insomnia" and "inactive with insomnia" was assessed.

RESULTS

Participants "active with insomnia" or "inactive with insomnia" had greater odds of presenteeism than those "active without insomnia" (OR = 1.41, 95%CI: 1.07-1.85 and OR=1.44, 95%CI: 1.14-1.83 respectively). Participants "inactive with insomnia" had a greater incidence of absenteeism than participants "active without insomnia" (IRR=1.28, 95%CI: 1.07-1.54).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest improving physical activity levels and insomnia symptoms concurrently may improve productivity by reducing presenteeism and sick leave.