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. 2024 Oct 1;66(10):e476-e482.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003183. Epub 2024 Jul 1.

Cardiovascular Responses to Occupational Physical Activity Are Exaggerated by Work-Related Stress and Low Fitness

Tyler D Quinn  1 , Timothy Bruehwiler, Paul D Chantler, Bethany Barone Gibbs
Affiliations

Cardiovascular Responses to Occupational Physical Activity Are Exaggerated by Work-Related Stress and Low Fitness

Tyler D Quinn et al. J Occup Environ Med. .

Abstract

Objectives: Paradoxical associations between high occupational physical activity (OPA) and cardiovascular disease may be explained by exaggerated cardiovascular responses from high work-related stress or low worker fitness.

Methods: OPA, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and rate-pressure product (RPP; HR × BP) were measured objectively for 24 hours in 19 male workers. Work-related stress was measured using the Stress in General Scale. Fitness was estimated using a submaximal treadmill test. Effect modification by work-related stress and fitness on associations between OPA and cardiovascular responses was examined using mixed models with interactions.

Results: Associations between OPA and RPP, HR, and BP were stronger with high stress ( P < 0.05). Associations of work-time moderate and vigorous physical activity and RPP were attenuated with higher fitness ( P < 0.05).

Conclusions: OPA performed under high work-related stress or by workers with low fitness may exaggerate cardiovascular responses to OPA.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04075279.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

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