Combined associations of regular exercise and work-related moderate-to-vigorous physical activity with occupational stress responses: a cross-sectional study

• Main Authors: Takafumi Abe (Author), Kenta Okuyama (Author), Atsushi Motohiro (Author), Daijo Shiratsuchi (Author), Minoru Isomura (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A., 2024-05-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2624-9367; 10.3389/fspor.2024.1386775
• Keywords: brief job stress questionnaire; stress check program; physical activity; mental health; paradox; Sports; GV557-1198.995
• Source: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, Vol 6 (2024)

ObjectiveThe association between work-related moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and higher levels of stress response is recognized, but whether this association is moderated by regular exercise remains unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated whether exercise-based physical activity (PA) associates with lower levels of stress responses moderated by work-related MVPA.MethodsThe study participants comprised 863 workers from 35 small and medium-sized enterprises in Shimane prefecture, Japan, collected through convenient sampling from April 2021 to August 2022. The Brief Job Stress Questionnaire was used to assess stress responses. Work-related MVPA and exercise-based PA were measured using questionnaires. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the combined variables of work-related MVPA and exercise-based PA. The reference group had no weekly exercise-based PA and >60 min of work-related MVPA.ResultsWhen work-related MVPA exceeded 60 min/day, flexibility activity or walking for ≥5 days/week (B = −3.53, 95% CI = −5.96, −1.11; B = −2.53, 95% CI = −4.90, −0.16) and muscle-strengthening activity 1-3 times/week (B = −3.52, 95% CI = −6.91, −0.12) were significantly associated with lower psychological stress response. Flexibility activity (B = −1.74, 95% CI = −3.01, −0.46) showed a similar link with physical stress response. When work-related MVPA was below 60 min/day, flexibility activity (B = −3.23, 95% CI = −6.01, −0.44; B = −3.29, 95% CI = −5.94, −0.63) or walking (B = −4.03, 95% CI = −6.62, −1.45; B = −3.10, 95% CI = −5.76, −0.44) practice 1-4 times/week and ≥5 times/week was significantly associated with lower psychological stress response.ConclusionExercise-based PA greatly and consistently associates with a lower level of stress responses moderated by work-related MVPA.