Rank, job stress, psychological distress and physical activity among military personnel

Abstract

BackgroundPhysical fitness is one of the most important qualities in armed forces personnel. However, little is known about the association between the military environment and the occupational and leisure-time dimensions of the physical activity practiced there. This study assessed the association of rank, job stress and psychological distress with physical activity levels (overall and by dimensions).MethodsThis a cross-sectional study among 506 military service personnel of the Brazilian Army examined the association of rank, job stress and psychological distress with physical activity through multiple linear regression using a generalized linear model.ResultsThe adjusted models showed that the rank of lieutenant was associated with most occupational physical activity (β = 0.324; CI 95% 0.167; 0.481); “high effort and low reward” was associated with more occupational physical activity (β = 0.224; CI 95% 0.098; 0.351) and with less physical activity in sports/physical exercise in leisure (β = −0.198; CI 95% −0.384; −0.011); and psychological distress was associated with less physical activity in sports/exercise in leisure (β = −0.184; CI 95% −0.321; −0.046).ConclusionsThe results of this study show that job stress and rank were associated with higher levels of occupational physical activity. Moreover job stress and psychological distress were associated with lower levels of physical activity in sports/exercises. In the military context, given the importance of physical activity and the psychosocial environment, both of which are related to health, these findings may offer input to institutional policies directed to identifying psychological distress early and improving work relationships, and to creating an environment more favorable to increasing the practice of leisure-time physical activity.

A review of the physiological and psychological health and wellbeing of naval service personnel and the modalities used for monitoring

“…This fear was also found in the U.K., Canadian, Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces [244]. Research on the Brazilian army found that those who suffer from psychological distress also have a high prevalence of leisure time physical inactivity [63]. This type of inactivity may lead to several physical medical problems, such as obesity, which can, in turn, affect individual’s occupational ability.…”

“…A study on the Brazilian military found that higher levels of job stress were associated with high levels of occupational physical activity, but not high levels of leisure time activity [63, 64]. These studies indicate that the benefits of physical activity occur as a result of participating in leisure time activity and not occupational physical activity.…”

“…Studies have indicated that working on-board merchant ships can be one of the most physically and mentally demanding occupations, and lead to a potential for severe psychological distress [233–235]. Research on the Brazilian army linked job stress to higher levels of occupational activity and lower levels of physical leisure time activity [63]. Stress has been defined as the response to a situation or event [236].…”

Avaliação comportamental de ratos treinados em natação forçada

“…Observaram que os animais com alta capacidade ao exercício de resistência exibiram maior comportamento de ansiedade do que os animais com baixa capacidade para o exercício, e ainda exibiram maiores níveis de corticosterona [33]. Contudo, Martins e Lopes [34], avaliando militares brasileiros, observaram associação do estresse devido ao trabalho e do sofrimento psicológico (identificado por sintomas de depressão e nervosismo) com baixos níveis de atividade física na prática de esportes/exercícios.…”

The Determining of Relationship Between Physical Activity and Perceived Stress Level in Security Service Employees

“…(Owen et al, 2010;Sitthipornvorakul et al, 2014). In addition to this, intense usage of new technological advances and applications, and increasing demands (Lopes et al, 2010) might cause an increase in the prevalence of chronic disease, stress, and psychological problems (Dunstan et al, 2012;Martins and Lopes, 2013). 1.4 billion adults all over the world are reported to be inactive (WHO, 2018).…”