Revisiting the “Physical Activity Paradox”: An in-depth look from around the globe
Creators: name: Gupta, Nidhi
name: Ding, Melody
name: Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy
name: Coenen, Pieter
Publisher: name: The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada
Year: 2022

description: It is well-established that physical activity reduces the risk of various health outcomes, including cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal pain, and mortality. However, a growing body of evidence on domain-specific physical activity indicates that the health effects of physical activity might not be the same when the physical activity is carried out at work versus during non-work time. This observation has been referred to as the ‘Physical Activity (PA)-Health Paradox’. For example, a meta-analysis on almost 200,000 individuals indicated that occupational physical activity (OPA) increases 18% risk of all-cause mortality independent of leisure time physical activity especially among males. However, some critique that observational study design, self-reported physical activity measures, and incomplete statistical procedures have led to the biased observation of the “paradox”. Also, current research on OPA is limited by its geographic scale and the lack of consideration of various aspects of OPA, such as seasonal variation, shift work, and a wide range of occupational groups. In our proposed symposium, we aim to present novel research findings from around the world on OPA and health related outcomes, taking into account various limitations of the current research evidence. Description Chair: Nidhi Gupta and Pieter Coenen. This covers an introduction on the origin of the PA paradox, how it has been understood till now, and for what the paradox has been criticized. Presenter 1: Nidhi Gupta. Do we observe the PA Paradox among workers from manufacturing and cleaning sector? A study on 4-year follow up on long-term sickness absence. This presentation will be about if we observe the Physical Activity Paradox among workers from two job sectors, using accelerometry-based physical activity measures and adjustment for important confounders. Presenter 2: Melody Ding. Occupational physical activity and all-cause mortality and CVD mortality in China: A prospective study of 149,029 adults from the CKB study. The presenter will show novel analysis of the patterns of occupational, transport and leisure-time physical activity and the associations between activity patterns and mortality outcomes in China. The presenter will then lead a discussion regarding occupational physical activity in low-and-middle-income countries. Presenter 3: Tracy Kolbe-Alexander. Time use in shift workers and the relationship with vascular function. Differences in shift workers’ physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour and sleep while at work and in leisure time, on days when they are working at night, during the day, or on non-work days, are largely unexplored. This talk will address the variation in these behaviours among shift workers from different sectors according to the type of shift (day, night, day off) in addition to comparisons with those who only work during the day. The relationship between shift workers’ physical activity and vascular function will also be discussed. Presenter 4: Pieter Coenen. Towards a better understanding of the ‘physical activity paradox’: a research agenda. Description: In this presentation, the presenter will discuss the points of critique of ’the physical activity paradox’ and provide a research agenda to guide the audience into a better understanding of occupational physical activity. Results: This symposium will extend the current discussion regarding the ‘Physical Activity Paradox’ by providing in-depth analysis and discussion on some important gaps in research, such as shift work, seasonal variation and a large range of occupational groups around the world. Conclusion: This symposium is linked to ISPAH theme of “Physical Activity Domains and Health”. Our collaborative work shows the importance of developing a research agenda for understanding the PA paradox. With more in-dept and more comprehensive analysis, our collaborative work aims to provide evidence and elicit discussion towards developing effective guidelines and strategies regarding domains of physical activity to reduce risk of non-communicable diseases globally.
description: The Health &amp; Fitness Journal of Canada, Vol. 14 No. 3 (2021): Proceedings from the 8th International Society for Physical Activity and Health Congress