ArticlePloS one2017
On the health paradox of occupational and leisure-time physical activity using objective measurements: Effects on autonomic imbalance.
Article in PloS one, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 44 papers.
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Who cites it
44 citing papers in PubMed.
- Differential Associations of Occupational and Total Physical Activity with Sleep Quality Among Adults in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026Article
- Domain-Specific Associations Between Physical Activity and Tinnitus in NHANES 2015-2018.Audiology research · 2026Article
- The physical activity health paradox: what is it, why might it happen, and where to go from here?The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2026Review
- Physical Activity and Cognitive Function in Postmenpausal Women: Depressive Symptoms and Sleep Disorder as Sequential Mediators.Psychology research and behavior management · 2026Article
- Periodontitis and physical activity: a scoping review.Frontiers in oral health · 2026Review
- Changes in physical activity across retirement: a compositional data analysis approach in a Swedish cohort study.European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity · 2025Article
- Association between physical activity domains and cardiovascular diseases among US adults: evidence from NHANES 2007-2020.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Cardiovascular load and physical capacity in older workers engaged in physically demanding occupations.International archives of occupational and environmental health · 2025Article
- The physical activity paradox in the development of metabolic syndrome: Based on the Korea National Health and nutrition examination survey.Preventive medicine reports · 2025Article
- Associations of leisure-time and occupational physical activity with allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis in middle-aged adults: a population-based study.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2025Article
- Daily self-efficacy, planning and social support explain leisure-time physical activity in working adults: evidence for the cultivation hypothesis from an ambulatory assessment study.Health psychology and behavioral medicine · 2025Article
- Occupational Physical Activity and Regular Exercise Are Inversely Correlated with Thyroid Function in Patients with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- Association of Occupational and Leisure-Time Physical Activity With Allostatic Load.American journal of preventive medicine · 2024Article
- Prospective association of occupational and leisure-time physical activity with orthostatic blood pressure changes in older adults.Scientific reports · 2023Article
- Increased physical workload in home care service is associated with reduced recovery from work.International archives of occupational and environmental health · 2023Article
- Linking social and built environmental factors to leisure-time physical activity in rural cancer survivors.Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs · 2023Article
- The association between physical activity and musculoskeletal disorders-a cross-sectional study of teachers.PeerJ · 2023Article
- Article
- Exploring the Role of Physical Activity in Mediating the Association between Educational Level and Health-Related Quality of Life in an Adult Lifespan Sample from Madeira Island.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Physical Activity Advice for Prevention and Rehabilitation of Low Back Pain- Same or Different? A Study on Device-Measured Physical Activity and Register-Based Sickness Absence.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
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Abstract
objectiveLeisure-time physical activity (LTPA) has considerable benefits for cardiovascular health and longevity, while occupational physical activity (OPA) is associated with an elevated cardiovascular risk. This "health paradox" may be explained by different effects on the autonomic nervous system from OPA and LTPA. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether objectively measured OPA and LTPA are differentially associated with autonomic regulation among workers.
methodsThe study comprised 514 blue-collar workers from the Danish cohort DPHACTO. Physical activity (i.e. walking, climbing stairs, running and cycling) was assessed objectively using accelerometers worn on the thigh, hip and trunk over multiple working days. During this period, a heart rate monitor was used to sample heart period intervals from the ECG signal. Heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) indices were analyzed during nocturnal sleep as markers of autonomic regulation. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the main effects of OPA and LTPA and their interaction on heart rate and HRV, adjusting for multiple confounders.
resultsStatistically significant interaction was found between OPA and LTPA on heart rate (adjusted p<0.0001) and HRV indices in time (rMSSD, adjusted p = 0.004) and frequency-domains (HF, adjusted p = 0.022; LF, adjusted p = 0.033). The beneficial effect of LTPA on nocturnal heart rate and HRV clearly diminished with higher levels of OPA, and high levels of both OPA and LTPA had a detrimental effect.
conclusionWe found contrasting associations for objectively measured OPA and LTPA with heart rate and HRV during sleep. Differential effects of OPA and LTPA on autonomic regulation may contribute to the physical activity health paradox.
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