Relationship Between Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Work Ability in University Staff with Different Occupational Demands: a Cross-Sectional Study with a Gender Perspective
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Work Ability
- Sponsor
- University of Alcala
- Enrollment
- 876
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Leisure-Time Physical Activity (LTPA)
- Status
- Recruiting
- Last Updated
- last year
Overview
Brief Summary
The goal of this observational study is to explore the relationship between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and work ability in university staff, with a focus on occupational physical activity (OPA) and gender. The main question it aims to answer is:
How does leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) influence work ability in university staff, considering their occupational physical activity (OPA) and gender?
Participants from the University of Alcalá will complete an online survey, which includes sociodemographic data and validated questionnaires on LTPA, OPA, work ability, musculoskeletal disorders, health-related quality of life, and workload.
Detailed Description
Introduction: 39.17% of the population in the Autonomous Community of Madrid (CAM) does not meet the physical activity recommendations set by the World Health Organization, representing a significant public health issue and considerable socioeconomic costs. Sex, gender, and working conditions are key determinants of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). However, there are few studies aimed at understanding these sociocultural barriers. Objective: To describe the association between LTPA and work ability, depending on occupational physical activity (OPA), among university staff in CAM, with a gender perspective. Secondly, to describe the relationship between the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders at work, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), physical and mental workload, functional capacity, and working conditions with the aforementioned association. Methodology: Cross-sectional descriptive study. The study population will consist of a representative sample of 885 workers from the University of Alcalá (Alcalá de Henares, Madrid), selected by snowball non-probability sampling. Participants will complete an ad hoc form (Microsoft Forms) including sociodemographic data (working hours, type of service, main task, income, menopause, etc.) and validated questionnaires in Spanish. The variables collected through these questionnaires will include LTPA and OPA (Global Physical Activity Questionnaire), work ability (Work Ability Index), prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders at work (Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire), HRQoL (SF-12), and physical and mental workload (NASA Task Load Index). Discussion: Improving understanding of the social determinants of physical activity in this population could facilitate the design of culturally sensitive interventions, thus making them more effective in reducing the economic and health costs of sedentary behavior.
Investigators
Laura Lorenzo Gallego
University Professor and Director of Physiotherapy in Women's Health Research Group
University of Alcala
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •University staff from different departments of the University of Alcalá who are able to understand Spanish.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Individuals with cognitive limitations that hinder their ability to comprehend information, respond to questionnaires, or consent to participation in the study.
- •Individuals with neurological impairments or a diagnosis of severe mental illness.
- •Individuals with uncontrolled cardiorespiratory diseases or diabetes.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Leisure-Time Physical Activity (LTPA)
Time Frame: At the same time as the recruitment
Leisure-time physical activity refers to any physical activity performed during free time, not related to work or mandatory responsibilities. This includes activities such as walking, jogging, cycling, sports, or any form of exercise done for enjoyment, health, or fitness outside of regular occupational or household duties. LTPA is measured through Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (World Health Organization, 2001) that assess the frequency, duration, and intensity of activities performed during leisure time. It is an important determinant of overall health and well-being, with potential impacts on physical fitness, mental health, and work ability.
Occupational Physical Activity (OPA)
Time Frame: At the same time as the recruitment
Occupational physical activity refers to the physical activity performed as part of an individual's job or work-related tasks. This includes movements such as walking, lifting, carrying, standing, or any other physical effort required by the nature of the work. OPA varies depending on the type of occupation, ranging from sedentary jobs with minimal physical exertion to physically demanding jobs that involve heavy lifting or manual labor. OPA is going to be assessed through Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (World Health Organization, 2001). It is an important factor influencing overall physical health, musculoskeletal health, and work ability. Understanding OPA can help identify how job-related physical activity influences worker well-being and performance.
Work Ability
Time Frame: At the same time as the recruitment
Work ability refers to an individual's capacity to perform their job tasks effectively, considering their physical and mental health, skills, and work demands. It reflects how well a person's health and functional capacity match the requirements of their work. Work ability is influenced by various factors, including physical fitness, mental well-being, work environment, and personal characteristics such as age and job experience. In this study, work ability will be measured using the Work Ability Index (WAI), a validated questionnaire developed by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. The WAI assesses work ability through a series of questions related to perceived health, job demands, and the impact of health on work performance.
Secondary Outcomes
- Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Work-Related and Daily Activity Injuries(At the same time as the recruitment)
- Physical and Mental Workload(At the same time as the recruitment)
- Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)(At the same time as the recruitment)