Occupational Exertion Research Articles

Occupational physical activity and cardiovascular disease in the United States

BackgroundEmerging evidence, predominately from European and Asian countries, describes opposing effects of occupational physical activity (OPA) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) on cardiovascular health. This analysis examined cardiovascular disease (CVD)...

Joint associations of occupational standing and occupational exertion with musculoskeletal symptoms in a US national sample

ObjectiveObservational studies have linked occupational standing or walking to musculoskeletal pain. These prior studies, however, are flawed as few accounted for physical exertion; a potential confounder that accompanies many standing-based...

Associations Of Occupational And Leisure-time Physical Activity With Cardiovascular Disease

PURPOSE: Emerging evidence describes opposing effects of occupational and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) on cardiovascular health although little research has been done in the U.S. This analysis examines cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence associated with occupational physical activity and LTPA in a nationally representative U.S. sample. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis of the 2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data and its occupational health supplement from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (n=19,429). Logistic regression estimated the odds of self-reported composite CVD (coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke, or angina) with self-reported total occupational activity (TOA), occupational exertion (OE), occupational standing (OS), and LTPA. Occupational activity was measured using two questions: “How often does your job involve repeated lifting, pushing, pulling, or bending?” (OE) and "How often does your job involve standing or walking around?” (OS) where participants responded to a 5-item Likert scale (0=Never, 4=Always). Total occupational activity (TOA) was categorized similarly after summing the individual OE and OS scores. LTPA was defined as three categories: 0, 1-149, or ≥150 minutes/week of reported moderate-to-vigorous activity. Additional analyses were stratified by sex, smoking status, and LTPA level. All models were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking status, alcohol consumption, family income, body mass index, education, U.S. nativity, LTPA, and TOA. RESULTS: “Always” performing TOA, OE, and OS was associated with higher odds for CVD, compared to “never” (OR=1.65, p=0.026, OR=1.63, p=0.003, and OR=1.56, p=0.031, respectively). LTPA level was not associated with odds of CVD (p>0.05). Associations of high OE with CVD outcomes were equally apparent in females and males and stronger in lower LTPA levels. Associations between TOA, OE, and OS with CVD were stronger in the sample restricted to never smokers. CONCLUSIONS: While LTPA was not associated, individuals with higher TOA, OE, and OS had higher rates of CVD. While uncontrolled confounding is still possible even after adjustment, the seemingly paradoxical adverse associations with occupational activity and CVD should be investigated further.

Physical Exertion Immediately Before Early Preterm Delivery: A Case-Crossover Study.

Occupational exertion is associated with a higher risk of preterm delivery, although studies of leisure time activities generally document reduced risks. Less is known about the risk of preterm delivery immediately following episodes of moderate or heavy physical exertion. We conducted a case-crossover study of 722 women interviewed during their hospital stay for early preterm delivery, defined by a gestational age before 34 weeks, and after 20 weeks. Interviews occurred between March 2013 and December 2015 in seven hospitals in Lima, Peru. The incidence rate ratio (RR) of early preterm delivery was 5.82-fold higher (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.29, 7.36) in the hour following moderate or heavy physical exertion compared with other times and returned to baseline in the hours thereafter. The RR of early preterm delivery within an hour of physical exertion was lower for exertion at moderate intensity (RR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.50, 3.96) than at heavy intensity (RR = 23.62; 95% CI = 15.54, 35.91; P-homogeneity < 0.001). The RR of early preterm delivery was lower in the hour following moderate physical exertion among women who habitually engaged in physical exertion >3 times per week in the year before pregnancy (RR = 1.56; 95% CI = 0.81, 3.00) compared with more sedentary women (RR = 6.91; 95% CI = 3.20, 14.92; P-homogeneity = 0.003). Our study showed a heightened risk of early preterm delivery in the hour following moderate or heavy physical exertion.

Features of morbidity from locomotory system diseases in medical staff ers

Lately, locomotory diseases defi nitely take one of the leading places in morbidity of medical staff ers — that is due not only to occupational exertion level, but to infl uence of climate and ecologic factors. The authors analyzed morbidity from locomotory system diseases in workers of various medical institutions.

Relationship between physical occupational exposures and health on semen quality: data from the Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment (LIFE) Study

To study the relationship among occupation, health, and semen quality in a cohort of men attempting to conceive. Observational prospective cohort. Not applicable. A total of 501 couples discontinuing contraception were followed for 1year while trying to conceive; 473 men (94%) provided one semen sample, and 80% provided a second sample. None. Semen data obtained through at-home semen collection with next-day analysis/quantification. In all, complete data were available for 456 men, with a mean age of 31.8years. Work-related heavy exertion was consistently associated with lower semen concentration and total sperm count. Thirteen percent of men who reported heavy exertion displayed oligospermia, compared with 6% who did not report workplace exertion. Shift work, night work, vibration, noise, heat, and prolonged sitting were not associated with semen quality. Men with high blood pressure had significantly lower strict morphology scores compared with normotensive men (17% vs. 21%). In contrast, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and composite of total comorbidities were not associated with semen quality. The number of medications a man was taking as a proxy of health status was associated with semen quality. There was a negative association between number of medications and sperm count. A negative relationship among occupational exertion, hypertension, and the number of medications with semen quality was identified. As these are potentially modifiable factors, further research should determine whether treatment or cessation may improve male fecundity.

Preterm Delivery Risk in Relation to Maternal Occupational and Leisure Time Physical Activity Among Thai Women.

Little is known about the relationship between maternal occupational physical exertion and leisure time physical activity (LTPA) with preterm delivery (PTD) among Thai women, a population that differs in many respects from women in Western countries. To evaluate associations of maternal occupational physical exertion and LTPA with PTD in aggregate and in subgroups (i.e., spontaneous preterm labor, preterm premature rupture of membrane, medically indicated preterm delivery, moderate preterm delivery [gestational age 32-36 weeks], and very preterm delivery [<32 weeks]) among Thai women. This case-control study included 467 PTD cases and 467 term controls. Maternal occupational exertion during pregnancy, as well as habitual engagement in LTPA before and during pregnancy was assessed using a structured questionnaire administered after delivery. Logistic regression procedures were used to examine relationships between both occupational and leisure time physical activity and PTD. After controlling for potential confounders, women who reported heavy physical occupational exertion during pregnancy, compared with other women, had a 2.42-fold increased risk of PTD overall [OR=2.42, 95% CI: 1.15, 5.09]. Very PTD [OR=4.57, 95% CI: 1.65, 12.64] and medically indicated PTD [OR=3.79, 95% CI: 1.54, 9.32] were particularly strongly associated with heavy occupational exertion. Maternal participation in LTPA before pregnancy was associated with a 24% reduction in PTD risk overall [OR=0.76, 95% CI: 0.57, 1.00], though no similar pattern in risk reduction was observed for LTPA performed during the first 6 months of pregnancy [OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.68, 1.36]. Consistent with some previous reports, we noted that heavy occupational physical exertion is associated with at least a doubling in PTD risk. Patterns of associations of PTD risk with LTPA were less well delineated in this Thai population.

Physical Activity and Health: Becoming Mainstream

Complementary health practices and physical activity share some common origins. In the early stages of development, neither was widely practiced or recognized as a valuable contributor to health. Systematic research on physical activity and health began in the 1950s, focusing on occupational exertion. That work was criticized as methodologically flawed, leading in time to more controlled research, longitudinal studies, and the adoption of an exercise epidemiology model. In 1996, the Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health clearly documented that physical activity reduced morbidity and mortality. Physical activity had become part of mainstream health and medicine. In 2002, the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy suggested ways of strengthening the growing body of evidence that supports a number of complementary health practices. With improved methodology, complementary health practices researchers can provide stronger documentation of the beneficial impact of those practices on health.

Study of occupational risk factors for pregnancy-induced hypertension among active duty enlisted Navy personnel.

The relationship between occupational exposures and the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) was investigated in a cohort of 5,605 enlisted active duty military women who gave birth during a 2-year period of time. A panel of experts, unaware of disease status, classified the women's job titles as "high," "medium," or "low" for a variety of occupational exposures. PIH was identified through hospital discharge ICD-9 diagnosis codes. Nulliparas were found to have a significantly increased risk ratio (RR) for PIH (RR = 2.3) compared with parous women. Nulliparas employed in jobs involving high levels of physical activity were at significantly decreased risk of PIH compared to nulliparas working at low levels of physical activity (construction craftsmen, RR = 0.37; unskilled laborers RR = 0.71). Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals was not related to risk of PIH. Although the study results are limited by aggregate exposure classification, they suggest no adverse influence of occupational exertion and a possible beneficial role among nulliparas.

Occupation, trauma, and cardiovascular disease.

Excerpt Heart disease, known or unsuspected, may be aggravated by the effort, stress, or strain associated with occupational duties and the conditions under which these duties are performed. These ...