Physical activity levels at work and outside of work among commercial construction workers

A GRU-Based Model for Detecting Common Accidents of Construction Workers

Fall accidents in the construction industry have been studied over several decades and identified as a common hazard and the leading cause of fatalities. Inertial sensors have recently been used to detect accidents of workers in construction sites, such as falls or trips. IMU-based systems for detecting fall-related accidents have been developed and have yielded satisfactory accuracy in laboratory settings. Nevertheless, the existing systems fail to uphold consistent accuracy and produce a significant number of false alarms when deployed in real-world settings, primarily due to the intricate nature of the working environments and the behaviors of the workers. In this research, the authors redesign the aforementioned laboratory experiment to target situations that are prone to false alarms based on the feedback obtained from workers in real construction sites. In addition, a new algorithm based on recurrent neural networks was developed to reduce the frequencies of various types of false alarms. The proposed model outperforms the existing benchmark model (i.e., hierarchical threshold model) with higher sensitivities and fewer false alarms in detecting stumble (100% sensitivity vs. 40%) and fall (95% sensitivity vs. 65%) events. However, the model did not outperform the hierarchical model in detecting coma events in terms of sensitivity (70% vs. 100%), but it did generate fewer false alarms (5 false alarms vs. 13).

How Does Environmental Temperature Affect Farmworkers' Work Rates in the California Heat Illness Prevention Study?

OBJECTIVE

Estimate the association between environmental temperature (wet bulb globe temperature [WBGT]) and work rate over the course of a workday.

METHODS

Repeated-measures regression was used to identify characteristics impacting work rate in a cross-sectional study of Latino farmworkers. Minute-by-minute work rate (measured by accelerometer) and WBGT were averaged over 15-minute intervals.

RESULTS

Work rate decreased by 4.34 (95% confidence interval [CI], -7.09 to -1.59) counts per minute per degree Celsius WBGT in the previous 15-minute interval. Cumulative quarter hours worked (2.13; 95% CI, 0.82 to 3.45), age (-3.64; 95% CI, -4.50 to -2.79), and dehydration at the end of workday (51.37; 95% CI, 19.24 to 83.50) were associated with counts per minute as were gender, pay type (piece rate vs hourly) and body mass index ≥25 kg/m 2 . The effects of pay type and body mass index were modified by gender.

CONCLUSION

Increased temperature was associated with a decrease in work rate.

Leisure-time physical activity, occupational physical activity and the physical activity paradox in healthcare workers: A systematic overview of the literature

BACKGROUND

Physical activity positively influences cardiovascular health. Results from male-dominated physically active occupations suggest that a high level of occupational physical activity may be detrimental to cardiovascular health. This observation is referred to as the physical activity paradox. Whether this phenomenon can also be observed in female-dominated occupations remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to provide an overview of (1) leisure-time and occupational physical activity in healthcare workers. Therefore, we reviewed studies (2) to assess the relationship between the two physical activity domains and analyzed (3) their effects on cardiovascular health outcomes in relation to the paradox.

METHODS

Five databases (CINAHAL, PubMed, Scopus, Sportdiscus, Web of Science) were systematically searched. Both authors independently screened the titles, abstracts, and full texts and assessed the quality of the studies using the National Institutes of Health's quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. All studies that assessed leisure-time and occupational physical activity in healthcare workers were included. The two authors independently rated the risk of bias using the ROBINS-E tool. The body of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

The review included 17 studies that assessed the leisure-time and occupational physical activity of people working in healthcare, determined the relationship between the domains (n = 7) and/or examined their effects on the cardiovascular system (n = 5). Measurements for leisure-time and occupational physical activity varied between studies. Leisure-time physical activity typically ranged between low and high intensity, with a short duration (approx. 0.8-1.5 h). Occupational physical activity was typically performed at light to moderate intensity with a very long duration (approx. 0.5-3 h). Moreover, leisure-time and occupational physical activity were almost negatively related. The few studies investigating effects on cardiovascular parameters revealed a rather unfavorable effect of occupational physical activity, while leisure-time physical activity was beneficial. The study quality was rated as fair and the risk of bias was moderate to high. The body of evidence was low.

CONCLUSIONS

This review confirmed that leisure-time and occupational physical activity of healthcare workers are opposed in their duration and intensity. Moreover, leisure-time and occupational physical activity seem to be negatively related and should be analyzed according to their relation to each other in specific occupations. Furthermore, results support the relationship between the paradox and cardiovascular parameters.

REGISTRATION

Preregistered on PROSPERO (CRD42021254572). Date of registration on PROSPERO: 19 May 2021.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Does occupational physical activity adversely affect the cardiovascular health of healthcare workers in comparison to leisure-time physical activity?

Behavioural interventions for CVD risk reduction for blue-collar workers: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Individuals working in blue-collar occupations experience high rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this systematic review is to describe the characteristics and efficacy of behavioural interventions that have targeted CVD risk factors in this high-risk group.

METHODS

Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we searched seven databases to find interventions focused on changing the following: blood pressure, cholesterol, diet, physical activity, smoking or weight. Eligible studies tested a behavioural intervention (not exclusively policy, environmental, or pharmaceutical), in individuals working in blue-collar occupations using a randomised study design. Study quality was evaluated using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's study quality assessment tool.

RESULTS

22 studies evaluating 31 interventions were included: 11 were rated as 'good' or 'fair' quality. Intervention intensity ranged from a single contact via a mailed letter to studies that included individual-level contacts at multiple time points between staff and participants. Studies that included at least some individual contact generally yielded the greatest effects. Interventions had the greatest observed effects on self-report changes in diet, regardless of intervention intensity. Four of the five higher quality studies that explicitly tailored the intervention to the occupational group were successful at reducing at least one risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions that used individual contact and tailored the intervention to the occupational setting yielded the greatest effects on CVD risk-factor reduction in individuals working in blue-collar occupations. Generally, studies were low quality but showed promising effects for reaching this high-risk population. Future work should incorporate these promising findings in higher quality studies.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019136183.

Health Risk Behavior Profile of Construction Workers, 32 States, 2013 to 2016

BACKGROUND

Research has suggested that several health risk behaviors were more prevalent among construction workers than among the general workforce.

METHODS

The prevalences of six health risk behaviors among construction workers were compared with workers in other industries using data from 32 states in the 2013 to 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

RESULTS

Smoking, smokeless tobacco use, binge drinking, no leisure-time physical activity, and not always using a seatbelt were significantly more prevalent (P < 0.001), and short sleep significantly less prevalent (P < 0.05), for all construction workers combined compared with workers in other industries. Prevalences varied substantially for all six health risk behaviors by construction occupation.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the high prevalence of some health risk behaviors, construction workers may benefit from interventions to reduce these behaviors, particularly since they are also potentially exposed to workplace hazards.

The courses of objective physical activity and the association with sleepiness during a 2-week-on/2-week-off offshore shift rotation: an observational repeated-measures study

BACKGROUND

Offshore workers are assumed to have poor health behaviours, but no studies have yet examined physical activity (PA) during a full offshore shift rotation period, including both work and at home periods. Furthermore, the relationship of PA with sleepiness, a prevalent safety hazard offshore, is not known. This study aimed to examine (1) the courses of objectively measured PA in offshore workers during pre-, offshore and post-offshore periods, and (2) the association between PA and self-reported sleepiness.

METHODS

An observational repeated measures study was conducted among 36 offshore workers during a full 2-week on/2-week off offshore shift rotation. Objective PA was assessed using Daytime Activity Averages (DAA) from actigraph recordings. Sleepiness was assessed using next-morning Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) scores. The courses of PA over time were analysed with Linear Mixed Models (LMM). Parallel LMM were used to assess the longitudinal relationship between PA and sleepiness, both on a between-person and within-person level.

RESULTS

The courses of PA were not significantly different between the pre-, offshore, and post-offshore periods. In addition, between-person trends of PA and sleepiness were not associated (p ranges between 0.08─0.99) and PA did not affect next-morning sleepiness on a within-person level (p = 0.15).

CONCLUSIONS

PA levels during the offshore working period were not different from PA levels at home. Furthermore, PA was not associated with next-morning sleepiness. Further research should focus on different levels of PA including its intensity level.

Effects of Manual Material Handling Workload on Measures of Fall Risk

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS We found, contrary to expectations, that performing a fatiguing simulated heavy manual material handling (MMH) task did not adversely affect the risk of trip-induced falls when compared to a less-fatiguing light MMH task. However, when considering these MMH tasks together rather than in comparison, our results provide evidence for adverse effects of fatigue on both gait and the ability to recover balance after tripping. The current results provide additional evidence that physical fatigue increases fall risk, start to clarify the mechanisms by which this increase occurs, and can help in developing and evaluating fall prevention strategies targeting these mechanisms.

The Mediating Effect of Unhealthy Behaviors and Body Mass Index in the Relation Between High Physical Workload and Self-Rated Poor Health in Male Construction Workers

OBJECTIVES

To examine the mediating role of unhealthy behaviors and body mass index (BMI) in the relation between high physical workload and self-rated health in male construction workers.

METHODS

Longitudinal data over 2010 to 2018 were used of 30,224 male construction workers in The Netherlands. Smoking, lack of physical activity, and alcohol consumption were self-reported. BMI was based on measured body weight and height. Multilevel modeling path analyses were used to determine the mediating role of unhealthy behaviors in the relation between physical workload and poor health.

RESULTS

A direct effect of high physical workload on poor health adjusted for unhealthy behaviors and BMI was found (odds ratio [OR] 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38 to 1.68). Indirect effects of the unhealthy behaviors and BMI in the relation between high physical workload and poor health were small (OR varying from 0.96 to 1.04).

CONCLUSION

The pathway of high physical workload and poor health through unhealthy behaviors and BMI was not supported.

Physical activity level of kindergarten staff working with toddlers and older children in Norway

BACKGROUND:

Research suggests that one-third of Norwegian adults satisfy national health recommendations for physical activity, but little knowledge exists regarding activity levels in different occupations.

OBJECTIVES:

This study investigates the level at which kindergarten staff fulfil these health recommendations, and examines differences in physical activity levels of staff working mainly with toddlers (1–3 years) and older children (4–6 years). The study also investigates physical activity level during working time and leisure time.

METHODS:

Physical activity levels among 43 kindergarten staff members were measured utilizing accelerometers and questionnaires.

RESULTS:

The results demonstrate that 86% of kindergarten staff satisfy the health recommendations for physical activity. Moreover, kindergarten staff working with older children were significantly more physically active than staff working with toddlers.

CONCLUSIONS:

Physical activity level during working time was found to be of major significance for fulfilling the health recommendations among kindergarten staff working with toddlers.

Objectively measured occupational physical activity in blue-collar workers: What is the role of job type, gender and psychosocial resources?

The aim was to describe occupational physical activity (OPA) and examine the role of psychosocial job resources among blue-collar workers. In a sample of 198 workers (57% male; mean age 44.9 (SD 9.9) year) from 7 companies in Denmark, two accelerometers (Actigraph) were placed on the thigh and trunk during 1-5 consecutive days, to determine working time spent standing, walking, on feet and in activity of moderate to vigorous intensity level (MVPA). The level of influence and social support at work were assessed by questionnaire. The exposure to OPA significantly varied by particular job type, especially in male predominant occupations. Overall, psychosocial job resources did not affect the exposure to OPA. These findings suggest that workplace interventions aiming to prevent adverse outcomes of OPA among blue-collars workers ought to focus on task redesign and target work organizational factors related to specific job type.

Sedentary and Physical Activity Behavior in "Blue-Collar" Workers: A Systematic Review of Accelerometer Studies

BACKGROUND

This systematic review assessed evidence on the accelerometer-measured sedentary and physical activity (PA) behavior of nonoffice workers in "blue-collar" industries.

METHODS

The databases CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus were searched up to April 6, 2018. Eligibility criteria were accelerometer-measured sedentary, sitting, and/or PA behaviors in "blue-collar" workers (≥10 participants; agricultural, construction, cleaning, manufacturing, mining, postal, or transport industries). Data on participants' characteristics, study protocols, and measured behaviors during work and/or nonwork time were extracted. Methodologic quality was assessed using a 12-item checklist.

RESULTS

Twenty studies (representing 11 data sets), all from developed world economies, met inclusion criteria. The mean quality score for selected studies was 9.5 (SD 0.8) out of a maximum of 12. Data were analyzed using a range of analytical techniques (eg, accelerometer counts or pattern recognition algorithms). "Blue-collar" workers were more sedentary and less active during nonwork compared with work time (eg, sitting 5.7 vs 3.2 h/d; moderate to vigorous PA 0.5 vs 0.7 h/d). Drivers were the most sedentary (work time 5.1 h/d; nonwork time 8.2 h/d).

CONCLUSIONS

High levels of sedentary time and insufficient PA to offset risk are health issues for "blue-collar" workers. To better inform interventions, research groups need to adopt common measurement and reporting methodologies.

Literature Review of Policy Implications From Findings of the Center for Work, Health, and Well-being

OBJECTIVE

To review the publications of a Total Worker Health Center of Excellence, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Center for Work, Health, and Well-being, in order to identify research findings relevant to either organizational or public policies.

METHODS

Two researchers independently reviewed 57 publications from 2011 to 2019 to identify cross-cutting themes that focus on working conditions or related health outcomes and their organizational and public policy implications.

RESULTS

Twelve cross-cutting themes were identified with their respective organizational and public policy implications. Several policy implications cut across work-related themes.

CONCLUSIONS

Policy implications of TWH research will aid in setting priorities to translate this from research into practice in future studies and help identify gaps that we and others can use to plan future TWH research.

Is high aerobic workload at work associated with leisure time physical activity and sedentary behaviour among blue-collar workers? A compositional data analysis based on accelerometer data

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the hypothesized negative association between duration of work time spent at a high relative aerobic workload and leisure time movement behaviours among blue-collar workers.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study based on heart rate and accelerometer data from 803 blue-collar workers (447 men and 356 women). Relative aerobic workload was measured as percentage of heart rate reserve during work (%HRR). Leisure time movement behaviours were expressed in terms of leisure time spent in sedentary and active behaviours in uninterrupted bouts (i.e. <10 min, ≥10–30 min and >30 min). Compositional regression and isotemporal substitution models were used to assess the association between the predominance of work time spent at ≥40%HRR and leisure time spent in sedentary and active bouts. All analyses were stratified by sex.

Results

For men, there was no statistically significant association between the predominance of work time spent at ≥40%HRR and leisure time movement behaviours. Among women, the predominance of ≥40%HRR at work was negatively associated with relative leisure time spent in ≥10 min bouts of active behaviour (β^ = -0.21, p = 0.02) and a theoretical 15 min reallocation of work time from <40%HRR to ≥40%HRR was estimated to decrease active behaviour by 6 min during leisure time.

Conclusion

Our result highlights the need for considering work-related barriers for an active leisure time in high-risk populations. Longitudinal studies are warranted to disentangle the relationship between physically demanding work characteristics and leisure time movement behaviours in such populations.

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 .

Physical activity and common tasks of California farm workers: California Heat Illness Prevention Study (CHIPS)

Farm workers are at risk of heat related illness (HRI), but their work rates that contribute to HRI have not been objectively assessed. The CHIPS study collected accelerometer data and characterized the physical activity of major farm tasks. Demographic information, work characteristics, and accelerometer data were collected from 575 farm workers in California. Each participating worker contributed measurements over one work shift. An Actical accelerometer was attached securely to a belt worn at the hip. Data were collected at one-minute intervals throughout the work shift. A total of 13 major work-task categories were defined. The mean physical activity counts per minute (cpm) and percentage of the shift spent at moderate and/or vigorous levels of activity were described for each task. Multiple linear regression models were constructed to determine the worker and environmental characteristics contributing to the physical activity level. Mean levels of physical activity ranged from 700 cpm (workers who carry produce) to a low of 150 cpm "ground pruners" who tend low-level plants, with an overall mean of 345 cpm or "light" activity (2 to ≤3 metabolic equivalents). The environmental temperature was the major factor associated with physical activity. A 10°C increase in the median temperature reduced the mean cpm by 135 (95% CI = 87, 193). Age and the tasks of sorting, ground pruning, and harvesting low-level crops were also negatively and independently associated with mean cpm. Incentivized (piece rate) pay, multi-task work, and irrigator work were positively associated with cpm. An interaction was found between piece rate and sex. Men's activity significantly increased (p < 0.001) by a mean of 95 cpm, (95% CI = 38.3, 150.7) if they were paid by the piece, but there was a non-significant association with women's activity level. Workers conducting multiple tasks, irrigators, men, and those earning incentivized (piece rate) pay had higher adjusted mean physical activity levels and are likely at increased risk of heat-related illness on hot days.

Occupational physical activity in brewery and office workers

Active lifestyles are beneficial to health and well-being but our workplaces may not be inherently supportive of physical activity at work. With the increasing use of technology in the workplace, many jobs are becoming more sedentary. The purpose of this study was to characterize levels of occupational physical activity (OPA) among active and sedentary workers. Two types of activity trackers (Fitbit Charge HR and Hexoskin) were used to assess activity measures (steps, heart rate, and energy expenditure) among workers during one full work shift. The first objective of the study was to assess the agreement between two types of accelerometer-based activity trackers as measures of occupational physical activity. The second objective of this study was to assess differences in measures of OPA among workers in generally physically active (brewery) and sedentary (office) work environments. Occupational physical activity data were collected from 50 workers in beer-brewing tasks and 51 workers in office work tasks. The 101 subjects were from the brewing service sector, a call center, and an engineering office within a manufacturing facility. A two-factor repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the two activity tracking devices while two-sample t-tests were used to compare the two worker groups. There were statistically significant differences in total steps and mean heart rate between the two devices. When comparing the two groups of workers there were statistically significant differences in measures of steps, mean heart rate, and energy expenditure. The results of the present study provide quantitative evidence that levels of OPA should be identified for different work groups.

Barriers to the Adoption of Wearable Sensors in the Workplace: A Survey of Occupational Safety and Health Professionals

OBJECTIVE

To gather information on the (a) types of wearable sensors, particularly personal activity monitors, currently used by occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals; (b) potential benefits of using such technologies in the workplace; and (c) perceived barriers preventing the widespread adoption of wearable sensors in industry.

BACKGROUND

Wearable sensors are increasingly being promoted as a means to improve employee health and well-being, and there is mounting evidence supporting their use as exposure assessment and personal health tools. Despite this, many workplaces have been hesitant to adopt these technologies.

METHODS

An electronic survey was emailed to 28,428 registered members of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and 1,302 professionals certified by the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE).

RESULTS

A total of 952 valid responses were returned. Over half of respondents described being in favor of using wearable sensors to track OSH-related risk factors and relevant exposure metrics at their respective workplaces. However, barriers including concerns regarding employee privacy/confidentiality of collected data, employee compliance, sensor durability, the cost/benefit ratio of using wearables, and good manufacturing practice requirements were described as challenges precluding adoption.

CONCLUSION

The broad adoption of wearable technologies appears to depend largely on the scientific community's ability to successfully address the identified barriers.

APPLICATION

Investigators may use the information provided to develop research studies that better address OSH practitioner concerns and help technology developers operationalize wearable sensors to improve employee health and well-being.

Prevalence and Perception of Risky Health Behaviors Among Construction Workers

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate construction workers' health behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions of health risks from work related and non-work related hazards.

METHODS

Construction workers completed a survey that assessed hazardous health behaviors (such as alcohol and tobacco use), attitudes toward health, and health risk perceptions. We compared construction workers' health behaviors to general population data from the behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS).

RESULTS

Construction workers reported greater smoking and drinking compared with their age-adjusted white man counterparts in Missouri. While there was a high awareness of work-related health and safety risks, concerns about general health risks did not correspond with risks from relevant health behaviors.

CONCLUSION

Educational efforts have created awareness of work-related safety and health issues in this population; similar efforts are needed to address disparities of general health behaviors.

Characterizing exposure to physical risk factors among reforestation hand planters in the Southeastern United States

Low back and neck/shoulder pain are commonly reported among reforestation hand planters. While some studies have documented the intensive cardiovascular demands of hand planting, limited information is available regarding exposures to physical risk factors associated with the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among hand planters. This study used surface electromyography (EMG) and inertial measurement units (IMUs) to characterize the muscle activation patterns, upper arm and trunk postures, movement velocities, and physical activity (PA) of fourteen Southeastern reforestation hand planters over one work shift. Results indicated that hand planters are exposed to physical risk factors such as extreme trunk postures (32.5% of time spent in ≥45° trunk flexion) and high effort muscle exertions (e.g., mean root-mean-square right upper trapezius amplitude of 54.1% reference voluntary exertion) that may place them at increased risk for developing MSDs. The findings indicate a need for continued field-based research among hand planters to identify and/or develop maximally effective interventions.

Age, human performance, and physical employment standards

The proportion of older workers has increased substantially in recent years, with over 25% of the Canadian labour force aged ≥55 years. Along with chronological age comes age-related declines in functional capacity associated with impairments to the cardiorespiratory and muscular systems. As a result, older workers are reported to exhibit reductions in work output and in the ability to perform and/or sustain the required effort when performing work tasks. However, research has presented some conflicting views on the consequences of aging in the workforce, as physically demanding occupations can be associated with improved or maintained physical function. Furthermore, the current methods for evaluating physical function in older workers often lack specificity and relevance to the actual work tasks, leading to an underestimation of physical capacity in the older worker. Nevertheless, industry often lacks the appropriate information and/or tools to accommodate the aging workforce, particularly in the context of physical employment standards. Ultimately, if appropriate workplace strategies and work performance standards are adopted to optimize the strengths and protect against the vulnerability of the aging workers, they can perform as effectively as their younger counterparts. Our aim in this review is to evaluate the impact of different individual (including physiological decline, chronic disease, lifestyle, and physical activity) and occupational (including shift work, sleep deprivation, and cold/heat exposure) factors on the physical decline of older workers, and therefore the risk of work-related injuries or illness.

Evaluation of four sensor locations for physical activity assessment

Direct measurements of physical activity (PA) obtained with inertial measurement units (IMUs) secured to the upper arms and trunk of 36 registered nurses working a full shift were compared to measurements obtained with a commercially-available PA monitor (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT) worn at the waist. Raw accelerations from each device were summarized into PA counts/min and metabolic equivalent (METs) categories using standard definitions. Differences between measurements were examined using repeated measures one-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) and agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman plots. Statistically significant differences were observed between all sensor locations for all PA summary metrics except for between the left and right arm for percentages of work time in the light and moderate counts/min categories. Bland-Altman plots suggested limited agreement between measurements obtained with the IMUs and measurements obtained with the wGT3X-BT waist-worn PA monitor. Results indicate that PA measurements vary substantially based on sensor location.

Occupational physical activity assessment for chronic disease prevention and management: A review of methods for both occupational health practitioners and researchers

Occupational physical activity (OPA) is an occupational exposure that impacts worker health. OPA is amenable to measurement and modification through the hierarchy of controls. Occupational exposure scientists have roles in addressing inadequate physical activity, as well as excessive or harmful physical activity. Occupational health researchers can contribute to the development of novel OPA exposure assessment techniques and to epidemiologic studies examining the health impacts of physical activity at work. Occupational health practitioners stand to benefit from understanding the strengths and limitations of physical activity measurement approaches, such as accelerometers in smartphones, which are already ubiquitous in many workplaces and in some worksite health programs. This comprehensive review of the literature provides an overview of physical activity monitoring for occupational exposure scientists. This article summarizes data on the public health implications of physical activity at work, highlighting complex relationships with common chronic diseases. This article includes descriptions of several techniques that have been used to measure physical activity at work and elsewhere, focusing in detail on pedometers, accelerometers, and Global Positioning System technology. Additional subjective and objective measurement strategies are described as well.

Prolonged Sitting is Associated with Attenuated Heart Rate Variability during Sleep in Blue-Collar Workers

Prolonged sitting is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and mortality. However, research into the physiological determinants underlying this relationship is still in its infancy. The aim of the study was to determine the extent to which occupational and leisure-time sitting are associated with nocturnal heart rate variability (HRV) in blue-collar workers. The study included 138 blue-collar workers (mean age 45.5 (SD 9.4) years). Sitting-time was measured objectively for four days using tri-axial accelerometers (Actigraph GT3X+) worn on the thigh and trunk. During the same period, a heart rate monitor (Actiheart) was used to sample R-R intervals from the electrocardiogram. Time and frequency domain indices of HRV were only derived during nighttime sleep, and used as markers of cardiac autonomic modulation. Regression analyses with multiple adjustments (age, gender, body mass index, smoking, job-seniority, physical work-load, influence at work, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) were used to investigate the association between sitting time and nocturnal HRV. We found that occupational sitting-time was negatively associated (p < 0.05) with time and frequency domain HRV indices. Sitting-time explained up to 6% of the variance in HRV, independent of the covariates. Leisure-time sitting was not significantly associated with any HRV indices (p > 0.05). In conclusion, objectively measured occupational sitting-time was associated with reduced nocturnal HRV in blue-collar workers. This indicates an attenuated cardiac autonomic regulation with increasing sitting-time at work regardless of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The implications of this association for cardiovascular disease risk warrant further investigation via long-term prospective studies and intervention studies.

Differences between work and leisure in temporal patterns of objectively measured physical activity among blue-collar workers

Background

Leisure time physical activity (LTPA) is generally associated with favorable cardiovascular health outcomes, while occupational physical activity (OPA) shows less clear, or even opposite, cardiovascular effects. This apparent paradox is not sufficiently understood, but differences in temporal patterns of OPA and LTPA have been suggested as one explanation. Our aim was to investigate the extent to which work and leisure (non-occupational time) differ in temporal activity patterns among blue-collar workers, and to assess the modification of these patterns by age and gender.

Methods

This study was conducted on a cross-sectional sample of male (n = 108) and female (n = 83) blue-collar workers, aged between 21 and 65 years. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed using accelerometers (Actigraph GT3X+) worn on the thigh and trunk for four consecutive days. Temporal patterns of OPA and LTPA were retrieved using Exposure Variation Analysis (EVA), and expressed in terms of percentage of work and leisure time spent in uninterrupted periods of different durations (<1 min, 1–5 min, 5–10 min, 10–30 min, 30–60 min and > 60 min) of sitting, standing, and walking. Repeated measures ANOVA and linear regression analyses were used to test a) possible differences between OPA and LTPA in selected EVA derivatives, and b) the modification of these differences by age and gender.

Results

OPA showed a larger percentage time walking in brief (<5 min) periods [mean (SD): 33.4 % (12.2)], and less time in prolonged (>30 min) sitting [7.0 % (9.3)] than LTPA [walking 15.4 % (5.0); sitting 31.9 % (15.3)], even after adjustment for the difference between work and leisure in total time spent in each activity type. These marked differences in the temporal pattern of OPA and LTPA were modified by gender, but not age.

Conclusion

We found that the temporal patterns of OPA and LTPA among blue-collar workers were markedly different even after adjustment for total physical activity time, and that this difference was modified by gender. We recommend using EVA derivatives in future studies striving to disentangle the apparent paradoxical cardiovascular effect of physical activity at work and during leisure.