Physical activity, physical fitness, and body composition of Canadian shift workers: data from the Canadian health measures survey cycles 1 and 2

Neil-Sztramko SE, Gotay CC, Demers PA, and Campbell KL. Physical activity, physical fitness, and body composition of Canadian shift workers: data from the Canadian health measures survey cycles 1 and 2. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine 2016; 58(1):94-100.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare objectively measured physical activity, sedentary time, physical fitness, and body composition in shift workers (SWs) with those who work regular days.

METHODS: Population-based, cross-sectional data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey were used.

RESULTS: SWs were more likely to have poor body composition, although had fewer minutes per week of sedentary time. Despite no differences in physical activity, SWs had a lower aerobic capacity. In weighted analyses, only differences in aerobic capacity were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: This analysis confirms previous findings that SWs have poorer body composition than day workers, and suggest that SWs may need to engage in more physical activity to achieve the same aerobic capacity as day workers.