Physical Activity and Fatigue among Pediatric Nurses in a Special Care Unit

Abstract

Purpose: This study was designed to explore the levels of physical activity and fatigue among nurses and to identify the relationship between these variables. Methods: Participants were 89 nurses working at an intensive care unit and an operating room in a children’s hospital. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires including the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Brief Fatigue Inventory. Results: Most of the nurses’ physical activity was work related, and there was a significant difference according to the working unit. Nurses with higher work stress and lower job satisfaction showed higher levels of fatigue than their counterparts did. Work-related physical activity and the interference of fatigue with relationships were related positively, whereas transport and leisure time physical activity were negatively related to usual fatigue and the interference of fatigue with life enjoyment. Conclusion: The levels of physical activity and fatigue of nurses were higher than those observed among other populations. The appropriate level of physical activity for these nurses needs to be investigated carefully. Also, in the intervention for nurses'' fatigue, their level of work-related and leisure-time physical activity should be considered separately, and their work environment and psychological satisfaction level should be included.