Abstract
Physical activity reduces the risk of several noncommunicable diseases, and a number of studies have found self-reported physical activity to be associated with sickness absence. The aim of this study was to examine if cardiorespiratory fitness, device-measured physical activity, and sedentary behaviour were associated with sickness absence among office workers. Participants were recruited from two Swedish companies. Data on sickness absence (frequency and duration) and covariates were collected via questionnaires. Physical activity pattern was assessed using ActiGraph and activPAL, and fitness was estimated from submaximal cycle ergometry. The sample consisted of 159 office workers (67% women, aged 43 ± 8 years). Higher cardiorespiratory fitness was significantly associated with a lower odds ratio (OR) for both sickness absence duration (OR = 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87–0.96) and frequency (OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.90–0.97). Sedentary time was positively associated with higher odds of sickness absence frequency (OR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.99–1.08). No associations were found for physical activity at any intensity level and sickness absence. Higher sickness absence was found among office workers with low cardiorespiratory fitness and more daily time spent sedentary. In contrast to reports using self-reported physical activity, device-measured physical activity was not associated with sickness absence.
Highlights
Office workers are a group commonly associated with sedentary behaviour and low physical activity level during working hours [1]
The analytical sample was of higher age, had lower education, and had more days of sickness absence at baseline compared with the excluded individuals
This study investigated the association between cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity at various intensity levels, and sedentary behaviour on the outcome of sickness absence duration and frequency among office workers in Sweden
Summary
Office workers are a group commonly associated with sedentary behaviour and low physical activity level during working hours [1]. The sedentary lifestyle at work may have contributed to the declining levels of cardiorespiratory fitness which have been seen in Sweden in recent years [2]. Having high cardiorespiratory fitness, being physically active, and minimising prolonged time spent in sedentary behaviour have been shown to reduce the risk of mortality and morbidity from several noncommunicable diseases [3,4,5,6] and mental ill-health [7], but the association with sickness absence is less examined. It is related to health and individual characteristics and factors at the workplace [9]. The individual may experience greater personal suffering in terms of lower income and social and
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