Relatively lower-intensity physical activity during leisure time and presenteeism among Japanese workers

TL;DR

This study shows that light leisure-time physical activity can reduce presenteeism among Japanese workers who don't do high-intensity exercise.

Contribution

It reveals that LIPA reduces presenteeism only in workers without HIPA, suggesting a dose-response benefit around 180 minutes/week.

Findings

Presenteeism prevalence decreased with more LIPA and HIPA.

LIPA ≥60 min/week significantly reduced presenteeism in those without HIPA.

Approximately 180 min/week of LIPA may be most effective for reducing presenteeism in low-HIPA individuals.

Abstract

This study examines the cross-sectional association between relatively lower-intensity physical activity (LIPA) during leisure time and presenteeism, accounting for relatively higher-intensity physical activity (HIPA) during leisure time.

Data were derived from 11 438 workers from 6 worksites of large companies in Japan, which participated in a questionnaire survey conducted between fiscal years 2018 and 2020. Frequency and duration per occasion were assessed for leisure-time physical activities at 3 intensities as determined by shortness of breath. LIPA was defined as activity not causing shortness of breath. The participants were divided into 3 groups according to LIPA volume (none, <60 min/wk, or ≥60 min/wk) and into 2 groups according to HIPA volume (none or engaged). A single question assessed the participants’ presenteeism through self-ratings of their work performance. A multivariable Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimator estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) of presenteeism and their 95% CIs across the categories for both LIPA and HIPA.

The prevalence of presenteeism tended to decrease with increasing amounts of LIPA and HIPA (P for trend <.001). Among those who did not engage in HIPA, a significantly lower prevalence of presenteeism was observed among individuals who engaged in LIPA for ≥60 min/wk compared with those who did not (adjusted PR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.68-0.81).

This study supports the protective role of LIPA during leisure time that does not cause shortness of breath against presenteeism among workers who do not engage in HIPA during leisure time.

Key points:

Relatively higher-intensity physical activity (HIPA) is known to help prevent presenteeism; however, the association of relatively lower-intensity physical activity (LIPA) during leisure time, which can be easily engaged in, with presenteeism has been unclear.The present study demonstrates that LIPA during leisure time was associated with a lower prevalence of presenteeism only among those who did not engage in HIPA. Moreover, a dose–response relationship suggested that approximately 180 min/wk of LIPA may be particularly effective for reducing presenteeism in such individuals.The findings support the promotion of LIPA as an occupational health strategy for preventing presenteeism in individuals with low levels of HIPA.

Relatively higher-intensity physical activity (HIPA) is known to help prevent presenteeism; however, the association of relatively lower-intensity physical activity (LIPA) during leisure time, which can be easily engaged in, with presenteeism has been unclear.

The present study demonstrates that LIPA during leisure time was associated with a lower prevalence of presenteeism only among those who did not engage in HIPA. Moreover, a dose–response relationship suggested that approximately 180 min/wk of LIPA may be particularly effective for reducing presenteeism in such individuals.

The findings support the promotion of LIPA as an occupational health strategy for preventing presenteeism in individuals with low levels of HIPA.

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