Abstract
ObjectivesHigh perceived physical exertion is common in eldercare workers and a strong predictor for impaired health. However, little is known on how physical behaviors at work associate with physical exertion in this group. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which the composition of physical behaviors at work is associated with perceived physical exertion in nursing home eldercare workers, and the extent to which these associations are modified by psychosocial resources.MethodsOur population consisted of 399 female eldercare workers from 126 wards in 20 different nursing homes. We evaluated time spent in physical behaviors at work [sitting, standing still, light activities (LAs), and moderate to vigorous activities (MVAs)] using triaxial accelerometers worn, on average, for three working days. We accounted for inherent codependency between the behaviors using compositional data analysis. We used multilevel linear mixed regression models to determine associations between the behaviors and perceived exertion, measured on a numeric rating scale (0–10), and included interactions between each behavior and psychosocial resources (influence at work, social support, and quality of leadership) to determine a possible moderating effect of resources. Regression results were illustrated using isotemporal substitution.ResultsSitting was negatively (β: −0.64; P < 0.01) while MVA was positively (β: 0.95; P = 0.02) associated with perceived exertion. According to isotemporal substitution, replacing 30 min of MVA by sitting would, for an average worker, be associated with a decrease in physical exertion by −0.14 on the 0–10 scale. Job resources marginally moderated the association between LA and exertion. Thus, among workers with low influence and low social support, we found a positive association between LA and exertion, while that was not found for workers with medium or high influence and support (interactions for influence and support: P = 0.08 and P = 0.10).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that reallocating time from MVA to sitting can mitigate perceived physical exertion in eldercare workers. More time in LA increased physical exertion only for workers with low psychosocial resources, supporting a positive effect of a better psychosocial work environment in elderly care.
Highlights
Eldercare is a women-dominated occupation with high levels of physical and psychosocial demands, typical of healthcare work in general (Gunnarsdottir et al, 2004; Long et al, 2012)
Little is known on how physical behaviors at work associate with physical exertion in this group.The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which the composition of physical behaviors at work is associated with perceived physical exertion in nursing home eldercare workers, and the extent to which these associations are modified by psychosocial resources
We evaluated time spent in physical behaviors at work [sitting, standing still, light activities (LAs), and moderate to vigorous activities (MVAs)] using triaxial accelerometers worn, on average, for three working days
Summary
Eldercare is a women-dominated occupation with high levels of physical and psychosocial demands, typical of healthcare work in general (Gunnarsdottir et al, 2004; Long et al, 2012) Both physical and psychosocial demands are associated with musculoskeletal symptoms, sickness absence, and early retirement intentions among healthcare workers in nursing homes and hospitals (Andersen et al, 2012a; Jensen et al, 2012; Clausen et al, 2014; Gold et al, 2017), and these outcomes are strongly predicted by perceived physical exertion (Feng et al, 2007; Andersen et al, 2013, 2019; Burgel and Elshatarat, 2017). Identifying determinants of physical exertion in eldercare workers can, be an important step toward developing interventions preventing musculoskeletal symptoms and sickness absence in this occupational group (Feng et al, 2007; Andersen et al, 2012a)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
