Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the relationship between levels of sedentary behavior, physical activity, and back pain and their psychosocial correlates among university employees.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on both academic and non-academic professional staff at Qatar University. The data collection instrument was a combination of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and the Acute Low Back Pain Screening Questionnaire (ALBPSQ).Results: A total of 479 individuals (57% females) participated in the cross-sectional study. Two hundred and ninety three (61.2%) reported to have experienced back pain. The covariates adjusted odds ratios (aORs) showed that vigorous physical activity was a protective variable for those who experienced lower back pain [aOR = 0.84, 95%CI (0.56–0.98)], both lower and upper back pain [aOR = 0.61, 95% CI (0.33–0.87)] and either lower or upper back pain [aOR = 0.76, 95%CI (0.51–0.85)], respectively. Back pain was significantly higher in females than males (aORs: 1.37–2.21). Similarly, sedentary behavior (too much sitting) was significantly associated with those who experienced either LBP or UBP [aOR = 1.74, 95% CI (1.19, 2.57)]. All back pain categories were found to be significantly associated with those who reported a depressed mood.Conclusions: These findings suggest that sedentary employees are exposed to increasing occupational hazards such as back pain and mental health issues. Strategies should aim to reduce sitting time with planned and feasible physical activity interventions to be incorporated into the workplace health promotion policy to help prevent back pain, back injuries, and mental health complications.
Highlights
Modern day research concerning sedentary behavior and physical inactivity has shown a rise in musculoskeletal pain which has increasingly become more prevalent in the last 40 years [1]
The incidence of low back pain (LBP) was significantly associated with moderate physical activity and being depressed
This study suggests that sedentary type office workers, who form a significant proportion of all workers, are in vital need of workplace health promotion
Summary
Modern day research concerning sedentary behavior and physical inactivity has shown a rise in musculoskeletal pain which has increasingly become more prevalent in the last 40 years [1]. Back pain (BP) is one of the most debilitating conditions inflicting grief, discomfort, and disability to its bearer. It affects the person’s mental well-being as well as his/her efficiency in performing day-to-day tasks, affecting productivity and weakening the economy [10,11,12]. Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), especially in the neck, shoulders, and lower back regions are common among office workers worldwide, due to the absence of physical activity, lack of movement as well as the adopted sedentary behavior [13]. LBP was found to be more prevalent in females than males; people with a higher body mass index (>26.0 kg/m2) are more likely to suffer from it [17]
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