title: Perceived and measured physical activity and mental stress levels in obstetricians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Obstetric work generates important subjective and objective mental stress and is perceived as a physically demanding activity by obstetricians. The aim of this study was to quantify physical and mental stress levels in obstetricians at work and during leisure activities to investigate their association with overall physical activity levels and professional experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  18 obstetricians at the maternity unit of the University of Geneva Hospitals were enrolled in a prospective observational study. Physical activity and stress levels were measured in two different activity sectors (delivery room and outpatient clinic) and outside work. Physical activity was assessed by questionnaire, visual analogue scale (VAS), and accelerometer. Mental stress levels were assessed by validated questionnaires, VAS, measurement of urine catecholamines and salivary cortisol, and night-time heart rate variability indices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Daily stress levels were higher at work compared to outside work (all, P = 0.002). Adrenalin (P = 0.002) and dopamine (P = 0.09) levels were elevated after a labour suite shift and a trend was observed for reduced heart rate variability during the night after this shift. The median average daily number of steps was 7132 (range, 5283-8649). Subjects reached a median of 32 min (range, 19-49 min) of moderate or higher intensity (≥ 1952 counts/min) daily physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Contrary to perception, obstetrics work is not physically demanding. It is, however, accompanied by important subjective and objective mental stress that may have a negative impact on health when combined with a lack of regular daily physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: begona.martinezdetejada@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Begoña
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Martinez de Tejada
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jastrow
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poncet
authors.forename: Iona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Le Scouezec
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Irion
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kayser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000652:urine; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009774:Obstetrics; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Energy expenditure; Mental stress levels; Obstetrics; Physical activity