title: Associations of physical activity, fitness, and body composition with heart rate variability-based indicators of stress and recovery on workdays: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to investigate how physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and body composition are associated with heart rate variability (HRV)-based indicators of stress and recovery on workdays. Additionally, we evaluated the association of objectively measured stress with self-reported burnout symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants of this cross-sectional study were 81 healthy males (age range 26-40 y). Stress and recovery on workdays were measured objectively based on HRV recordings. CRF and anthropometry were assessed in laboratory conditions. The level of PA was based on a detailed PA interview (MET index [MET-h/d]) and self-reported activity class.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PA, CRF, and body composition were significantly associated with levels of stress and recovery on workdays. MET index (P < 0.001), activity class (P = 0.001), and CRF (P = 0.019) were negatively associated with stress during working hours whereas body fat percentage (P = 0.005) was positively associated. Overall, 27.5% of the variance of total stress on workdays (P = 0.001) was accounted for by PA, CRF, and body composition. Body fat percentage and body mass index were negatively associated with night-time recovery whereas CRF was positively associated. Objective work stress was associated (P = 0.003) with subjective burnout symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PA, CRF, and body composition are associated with HRV-based stress and recovery levels, which needs to be taken into account in the measurement, prevention, and treatment of work-related stress. The HRV-based method used to determine work-related stress and recovery was associated with self-reported burnout symptoms, but more research on the clinical importance of the methodology is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, Jyväskylä FIN-40014, Finland.
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Teisala
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, Jyväskylä FIN-40014, Finland.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mutikainen
authors.affiliation: Methodology Centre for Human Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35 (Y 33), Jyväskylä FI-40014, Finland.
authors.forename: Asko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tolvanen
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, Jyväskylä FIN-40014, Finland.
authors.forename: Mirva
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rottensteiner
authors.affiliation: Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, Turku FIN-20520, Finland.
authors.forename: Tuija
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leskinen
authors.affiliation: Hjelt Institute, Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 41, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland ; Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, Helsinki FI-00300, Finland ; Institute for Molecular Medicine (FIMM), University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 20, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland.
authors.forename: Jaakko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaprio
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, P.O. Box 1627, Joensuu FIN-70211, Finland.
authors.forename: Marjukka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kolehmainen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, Jyväskylä FIN-40014, Finland.
authors.forename: Heikki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rusko
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, Jyväskylä FIN-40014, Finland.
authors.forename: Urho M
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Kujala
keywords: BMI; Body composition; Body fat percentage; Cardiorespiratory fitness; HRV; Physical activity; Recovery; Work stress; Working hours
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