Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health
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Scand J Work Environ Health · May 2018
Objectively measured physical activity of hospital shift workers.
Objectives Shift work may alter workers' leisure-time and occupational physical activity (PA) levels, which might be one of the potential underlying mechanisms of the negative health effects of shift work. Therefore, we compared objectively measured PA levels between hospital shift and non-shift workers. Methods Data were used from Klokwerk+, a cohort study examining the health effects of shift work among healthcare workers employed in hospitals. ⋯ However, these differences in occupational PA became smaller when the number of night shifts during accelerometer wear-time increased. Conclusions Leisure-time PA levels of hospital shift workers were similar to those of non-shift workers, but shift workers were less sedentary and more physically active (ie, standing/walking) at work. Future research to the role of occupational activities in the health effects of shift work is recommended.