10,000 Reasons to Step Out—Exercise Patterns and Pedometer Evaluation of Consultant Anaesthetists

Device-measured physical activity, sedentary behaviour and cardiometabolic health and fitness across occupational groups: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

With approximately 8 hours of one's waking day spent at work, occupational tasks and environments are important influencers on an individual's physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours. Little research has compared device-measured physical activity, sedentary behaviour and cardiometabolic outcomes between occupational groups.

OBJECTIVE

To compare device-measured movement (sedentary time [ST], light intensity physical activity [LPA], moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity [MVPA], and steps) across occupations. The secondary objective was to examine whether cardiometabolic and fitness outcomes differed by occupation.

METHODS

Five bibliographic databases were searched to identify all studies which included working age, employed adults from high-income countries, and reported on device-measured movement within occupations. Risk of bias within and across studies was assessed. Results were synthesized using meta-analyses and narrative syntheses.

RESULTS

The review includes 132 unique studies with data from 15,619 participants. Working adults spent ~ 60% of their working and waking time engaged in sedentary behaviour; a very small proportion (~ 4%) of the day included MVPA. On average, workers accumulated 8124 steps/day. Office and call center workers' steps/day were among the lowest, while those of postal delivery workers were highest. Office workers had the greatest ST and the lowest time in LPA both at work and during wakeful time. However, office workers had the greatest minutes sent in MVPA during wakeful hours. Laborers had the lowest ST and spent a significantly greater proportion of their work time in LPA and MVPA. Healthcare and protective services workers had higher levels of LPA at work compared to other occupations. Workers in driving-based occupations tended to have a higher body mass index and blood pressure.

CONCLUSION

This review identifies that occupational and wakeful time PA and ST differed between occupations. Future studies are needed to assess whether patterns differ by age and sex, describe leisure-time movement and movement patterns, and the relationship with cardiometabolic health.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42017070448 .

Are physical activity levels of health care professionals consistent with activity guidelines? A prospective cohort study in New Zealand

Objective

We aimed to estimate the level of physical activity undertaken by health care professionals and the proportion that achieved a daily target of 10,000 steps.

Design

This was a prospective cohort study.

Setting

Participants were recruited in Wellington Regional Hospital, a tertiary hospital in New Zealand.

Participants

Neurology, Cardiology, and Endocrinology staff were invited to participate.

Main outcome measures

Pedometer-measured step counts were recorded over seven days and the proportion that achieved a daily target of 10,000 steps was calculated.

Results

We included 50 staff in the study. The mean daily step count was 10,620 (standard deviation = 3141) with a median daily step count of 10,606 (interquartile range = 7791-12,469). Sixty-five per cent of the staff achieved 10,000 steps per day.

Conclusion

This cohort was more active compared to other pedometer-based studies in health care professionals. The daily target of 10,000 steps per day was achieved at a higher proportion than reported in international studies and the general New Zealand.

Predictors of Achieving Recommended Daily Physical Activity Among Anesthesiologists at a Large Tertiary Care Academic Center

Background

The goal of the current study was to determine if the daily work patterns of anesthesiologists meet the recommended daily levels of activity.

Methods

Attending and resident anesthesiologists at a tertiary academic center were invited to participate. The subjects wore a pedometer during five regular clinical days at work and recorded the number of steps walked. The participants also completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) during one regular week. The results were analyzed using analysis of variance, Chi-square test and multivariate linear regression using STATA 12.1.

Results

During work, attending, compared with senior and junior resident, anesthesiologists had the most steps (5,953 ± 1,213, 5,153 ± 905, and 5,710 ± 1,513 steps, respectively, P = 0.2). Outside work, senior residents had the highest level of activity (3,592 ± 1,626 metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-minutes/week) compared to junior residents (1,788 ± 1,089 MET-minutes/week) and attending (2,104 ± 1,594 MET-minutes/week, P = 0.005); the percentage of recommended daily level of activity represented by this outside activity was senior residents (78.5%), junior residents (27%) and attending (21%) anesthesiologists (P = 0.002). When activity at and outside work was combined, most anesthesiologists met the recommended 10,000 steps daily, P < 0.009.

Conclusions

The daily physical activity of faculty and trainee anesthesiologists at work in a busy tertiary care is low active. However, when additional physical activity is pursued outside of work, most anesthesiologists met recommended daily levels of activity. These results highlight the inadequacy of daily activity at work, and the need to pursue additional physical activity outside of work; such awareness can assist in promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Measuring the Ability to Tolerate Activity-Related Discomfort: Initial Validation of the Physical Activity Acceptance Questionnaire (PAAQ)

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) is essential for health, but many adults find PA adherence challenging. Acceptance of discomfort related to PA may influence an individual's ability to begin and sustain a program of exercise. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Physical Activity Acceptance Questionnaire (PAAQ).

METHODS

The PAAQ was administered to 3 distinct samples (N = 418). Each sample completed additional self-report measures; 1 sample also wore accelerometers for 7 days (at baseline and 6 months later).

RESULTS

The PAAQ demonstrated high internal validity for its total score (α = .89) and 2 subscales (Cognitive Acceptance α = .86, Behavioral Commitment α = .85). The PAAQ also showed convergent validity with measures of mindfulness, self-reported physical activity levels, and accelerometer-verified levels of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA; P-values < .05). The Cognitive Acceptance subscale showed predictive validity for objectively-verified PA levels among individuals attempting to increase PA over 6 months (P = .05). Test-retest reliability for a subset of participants (n = 46) demonstrated high consistency over 1 week (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The PAAQ demonstrates sound psychometric properties, and shows promise for improving the current understanding of PA facilitators and barriers among adults.

Perceived and measured physical activity and mental stress levels in obstetricians

OBJECTIVES

Obstetric work generates important subjective and objective mental stress and is perceived as a physically demanding activity by obstetricians. The aim of this study was to quantify physical and mental stress levels in obstetricians at work and during leisure activities to investigate their association with overall physical activity levels and professional experience.

STUDY DESIGN

18 obstetricians at the maternity unit of the University of Geneva Hospitals were enrolled in a prospective observational study. Physical activity and stress levels were measured in two different activity sectors (delivery room and outpatient clinic) and outside work. Physical activity was assessed by questionnaire, visual analogue scale (VAS), and accelerometer. Mental stress levels were assessed by validated questionnaires, VAS, measurement of urine catecholamines and salivary cortisol, and night-time heart rate variability indices.

RESULTS

Daily stress levels were higher at work compared to outside work (all, P = 0.002). Adrenalin (P = 0.002) and dopamine (P = 0.09) levels were elevated after a labour suite shift and a trend was observed for reduced heart rate variability during the night after this shift. The median average daily number of steps was 7132 (range, 5283-8649). Subjects reached a median of 32 min (range, 19-49 min) of moderate or higher intensity (≥ 1952 counts/min) daily physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to perception, obstetrics work is not physically demanding. It is, however, accompanied by important subjective and objective mental stress that may have a negative impact on health when combined with a lack of regular daily physical activity.

Comparing disparities in the health-promoting lifestyles of Taiwanese workers in various occupations

In Taiwan, workplace health promotion programs have been designed on an organizational basis, and the specific health needs for workers within different occupational categories have not usually been taken into account. This study describes the various levels of overall health promoting lifestyles and health-promoting behaviors of workers within different occupational categories,and examines the effects of occupational category, perceived busyness, and BMI level on overall health-promoting lifestyles and health-promoting behaviors. A cross-sectional survey with convenient sampling, comprising a self-reporting questionnaire (which included the Chinese version of the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile), was used to measure the overall HPLP and six health-promoting behaviors (nutrition, health responsibility, self-actualization, interpersonal support,exercise, and stress management). A total of 796 participants were recruited. Multiple regression analysis showed that the various occupational categories sustained significant differences in overall HPLP, nutrition, self-actualization, interpersonal support, and stress management(after controlling for some specific factors). Perceived busyness showed positive effects on the overall HPLP, self-actualization, interpersonal support, and stress management. The obese group had less participation in overall health-promoting lifestyles and stress management when compared with the moderate BMI group. Workplace health promotion practitioners should therefore develop specific strategies to target the laborers and workers who demonstrate obesity.