Assessing physiological response mechanisms and the role of psychosocial job resources in the physical activity health paradox: study protocol for the Flemish Employees’ Physical Activity (FEPA) study

Abstract

Background In the current labour system many workers are still exposed to heavy physical demands during their job. In contrast to leisure time physical activity (LTPA), occupational physical activity (OPA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality, termed “the physical activity (PA) health paradox”. In order to gain more insight into the PA health paradox, an exploration of structural preventive measures at the workplace is needed and therefore objective field measurements are highly recommended. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the protocol of the Flemish Employees’ Physical Activity (FEPA) study, including objective measurements of PA, heart rate (HR) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) to gain more insight into the PA health paradox. Methods A total of 401 workers participated in the FEPA study across seven companies in the service and production sector in Belgium. The participants comprised 167 men and 234 women, aged 20 to 65 years. OPA and LTPA were assessed by two Axivity AX3 accelerometers on the thigh and upper back. Ambulatory HR was measured by the Faros eMotion 90° monitor. Both devices were worn during two to four consecutive working days. In addition, CRF was estimated by using the Harvard Step Test. Statistical analyses will be performed using Pearson correlation, and multiple regression adjusted for possible confounders. Discussion This study aims to provide a better insight in the PA health paradox and the possible buffering factors by using valid and objective measurements of PA and HR (both during LTPA and OPA) over multiple working days. The results of the study can contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular disease by providing tailored recommendations for participants with high levels of OPA and by disseminating the results and recommendations to workplaces, policy makers and occupational health practitioners.

Risk of cancer and longest‐held occupations in Japanese workers: A multicenter hospital‐based case‐control study

“…The so‐called “physical activity health paradox” may be due to the difference in characteristics of recreational and occupational physical activities . This phenomenon has been mainly discussed in relation to cardiovascular disease, but with regard to lung cancer, the same tendency has been reported …”

“…In several epidemiologic studies, an inverse association between recreational physical activity and cancer was established . In comparison, like “the physical activity paradox” for cardiovascular diseases, occupational and recreational physical activity has been associated with different effects on the risk of a particular cancer …”

The occupational sitting and physical activity questionnaire (OSPAQ): a validation study with accelerometer-assessed measures

“…Data from the FEPA (Flemish Employees' Physical Activity) study were used, this study has been described in detail elsewhere [26]. In short, participants were recruited by means of convenience sampling across seven different companies within the service and manufacturing sector.…”

The association between occupational physical activity, psychosocial factors and perceived work ability among nurses

“…The nurses were asked to fill in a self-administered questionnaire, to participate in a baseline medical screening and to wear two accelerometers over a period of two to five consecutive working days to register PA. The specific details about the protocol are provided in Ketels et al (2019).…”