title: Association of Occupational and Leisure-Time Physical Activity with Aerobic Capacity in a Working Population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Objective data on the association of maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) with work related physical activity are sparse. Thus, it is not clear whether occupational physical activity (OPA) contributes to an increase of VO2max. This study examined the association of VO2max with work and non-work related physical activity in a Swiss working population.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, a total of 337 healthy and full-time employed adults were recruited. Demographic data, height, weight and BMI were recorded in all subjects. Participants were classified into nine occupational categories (ISCO-88) and merged into three groups with low, moderate, and high OPA. Physical activity was objectively measured by the SenseWear Mini Armband on seven consecutive days (23 hours per day). Participants were regarded as sufficiently active when accumulating ≥30 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day. VO2max was evaluated using the multistage 20-meter shuttle run test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data of 303 participants were considered for analysis (63% male, age 33 yrs, SD 12). Multiple linear regression analysis (adjusted R2 = 0.69) revealed significant positive associations of VO2max with leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) at vigorous intensity (β = 0.212) and sufficient moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (β = 0.100) on workdays. Female gender (β = -0.622), age (β = -0.264), BMI (β = -0.220), the ratio of maximum to resting heart rate (β = 0.192), occupational group (low vs. high OPA, β = -0.141), and smoking (β = -0.133) were also identified as independent predictors of VO2max.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present results suggest that VO2max is positively associated with LTPA, but not with OPA on workdays. This finding emphasizes the need for employees to engage in sufficient high-intensity physical activity in recreation for maintaining or improving VO2max with regard to health benefits.
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland.|Department of Sport Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mundwiler
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schüpbach
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland.|Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dieterle
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland.|Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jörg Daniel
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Leuppi
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.|Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Arno
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Trucksäss
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.|Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: David Paul
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Wolfer
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.|Department of Occupational Medicine, Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund (Suva), Lucerne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Miedinger
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland.|Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brighenti-Zogg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011998:Recreation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D055815:Young Adult