Physical activity health paradox: reflections on physical activity guidelines and how to fill research gap

Researchers, policy-makers, health professionals and the general population acknowledge the health benefits of regular physical activity.1 While adults predominantly are physically active as part of their job (ie, occupational physical activity), the evidence on physical activity and health is mainly limited to physical activity during leisure time.2 Researchers have questioned if occupational physical activity provides the same health benefits as leisure time physical activity—termed the physical activity health paradox.3 A systematic review and meta-analysis from 2018 among almost 200 000 participants found high occupational physical activity to be associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality among men.4 After this review, large observational studies have found conflicting associations between occupational physical activity and health. One Scandinavian study found high occupational physical activity to be associated with increased mortality risk.5 Another Scandinavian study reported a beneficial association,6 while...
Source: Occupational and Environmental Medicine - Category: Occupational Health Authors: Tags: Commentary Source Type: research