The Relationship between Sociodemographic, Professional, and Incentive Factors and Self-Reported Level of Physical Activity in the Nurse Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Research indicates that while nurses are aware of the benefits of physical activity (PA), their adherence to PA is low. The results of workplace interventions that increase PA are inconsistent. The study aim was identification the sociodemographic, professional, and incentive factors influencing nurses’ PA and investigation its relationship with the level of PA that they report. This study was based on observational cross-sectional research conducted among professionally active nurses working in a clinical setting (n = 350). The self-reported questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and employment data and motivators and barriers of participating in PA. The level of PA was assessed using International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The analysis revealed significant differences in the Total Physical Activity Score (TPAS) depending on the variables related to professional activity (working in a management position: p = 0.015; workplace: p = 0.01; shift type: p ≤ 0.002). Cluster analysis revealed that the most important statement in the group division about motivation was fear of the pain occurring after exercise. Nurses who were more motivated to be active showed a higher level of leisure-time PA than less motivated nurses. The recommendation of PA in the nursing population should be focused on increasing the leisure time PA, ensuring the appropriate time to recovery, and compliance with the principles of work ergonomics to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.

Enhancing feedback by health coaching: The Effectiveness of Mixed Methods Approach to Long-Term Physical Activity Changes in Nurses. An Intervention Study

“…Our ndings suggest that the Recreation domain of daily physical activity is the most susceptible to change. This aligns with our previous research, which demonstrated that nurses who are more motivated to be active engagement in a higher level of leisure-time physical activity than those who are less motivated (20). Research has also shown that engaging in moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity before a morning shift is associated with increased sedentary time and decreased physical activity during work hours (35).…”

“…Conversely, participants with higher Free Fat Mass [kg] are more vulnerable to applied motivation, suggesting that naturally active individuals in good physical condition are more willing to engage in physical activity. Nurses who agree that physical activity positively affects their mental and physical condition were more motivated to engage in physical activity and showed a higher level of leisure-time physical activity (20). However, working in a hospital ward harmed the increase in the number of steps after the applied intervention.…”

“…Working in a hospital ward and engaging in direct patient care is considered the most demanding (35,41), and nurses not involved in direct patient care are more sedentary (41). Nurses working in rotating shifts showed a signi cantly higher level of general physical activity than nurses working only in daily shifts (20,42). Furthermore, nurses who are highly active during work hours are less likely to engage in leisure-time physical activity, as con rmed by Chappel et al, revealed that occupational walking time was associated with lower activity levels during leisure time (35).…”

“…Many authors report the necessity to investigate personal and occupational factors that could help nurses sustain physical activity levels in the long term (20,21). This study aims to identify sociodemographic, occupational, and health-related factors in uencing the effectiveness of motivation methods in increasing daily physical activity.…”

“…However, the quality of studies assessing the impact of such interventions among nurses is mostly low to moderate, and results should be interpreted cautiously ( 14). Many authors report the necessity to investigate personal and occupational factors that could help nurses sustain physical activity levels in the long term (20,21). This study aims to identify sociodemographic, occupational, and health-related factors in uencing the effectiveness of motivation methods in increasing daily physical activity.…”