Nivel de actividad física y alteraciones posturales de la columna vertebral asociados a la jornada laboral en administrativos universitarios: estudio transversal

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the level of physical activity (PA) and the presence of postural alterations (AP) in the spine, related to the working day in university administrative workers. MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed at the Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP) in 302 administrative collaborators, from August to December of 2019. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short-Form (IPAQ-SF) questionnaire was applied to determine the level of physical activity, the sagittal arrows test to assess postural alterations of the spine, anthropometric measurements, and labour questionnaire. For the statistical analysis, the Student́s t was used for numerical variables and χ2 for categorical variables. ResultsOf the sample, 59.94% spend more than 6hours in front of the computer. The prevalence was higher in women with respect to the lowest level of PA (P<.001), hours in front of the computer per day (P<.000), the lordotic index (P<.014) and the test for rectus abdominis (P<.035). ConclusionsUniversity administrative workers present a low level of physical activity, especially in women. We propose that the number of hours spent in front of the computer are a potentially harmful mechanism. A follow-up study is necessary to establish the long-term cause-effect relationship.