Author(s): GORGES, J., KRAMPE, L., WOLLESEN, B., HOFMANN, H.S., BIALLAS, B., Institution: GERMAN SPORT UNIVERSITY COLOGNE, Country: GERMANY, Abstract-ID: 856

INTRODUCTION:
The skilled trades are characterized by high physical and psychosocial demands. Physically strenuous work, time pressure, economic uncertainty, and often small organizational structures place considerable strain on workers and may adversely affect health and long-term work ability [1]. Physical activity plays a key role in this context, as it can influence both physical capacity and psychosocial resources [2]. Therefore, the aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of physical activity across specific domains among workers in the skilled trades.
METHODS:
The survey was conducted using computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) with 1,147 employees from defined skilled trades. The sample included 769 men, 375 women and three participants of diverse gender, with a mean age of 43.25 years (SD = 15.07). Physical activity was assessed using the EHIS-PAQ. Analyses were conducted across three domains: work-related (WRPA), transport-related (TRPA), and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). Descriptive statistics were calculated using design and adjustment weights.
RESULTS:
27.4% of participants reported performing work tasks involving light physical effort, 51.3% reported moderate physical effort, and 21.2% reported heavy physical effort. Overall, 72.5% of participants were physically active at work. TRPA was mainly accumulated through walking, with a mean of 247 minutes per week, while cycling contributed less, with a mean of 36 minutes per week. Regarding LTPA, participants reported an average of 162.1 minutes of aerobic activity per week. In total, 39.7% met the recommendation of at least 150 minutes per week, and 17.9% achieved 300 minutes or more of aerobic physical activity. Additionally, 33.5% met the recommendation for muscle-strengthening physical activity (≥2 days per week). Overall, 21.8% of participants met both aerobic and muscle-strengthening recommendations. When combining work-related and health-enhancing physical activity, 82.7% of participants were classified as sufficiently physically active in total.
CONCLUSION:
The results indicate that physical activity among workers in the skilled trades is predominantly accumulated through work-related tasks, while leisure-time physical activity remains comparatively low. Although a large proportion of participants were classified as physically active overall, fewer than half met the aerobic activity recommendations and only one third achieved sufficient muscle-strengthening activity. This underlines the importance of distinguishing between physical activity domains, as occupational physical activity may be associated with increased physical strain and limited recovery. Health promotion strategies should therefore focus on compensatory, health-enhancing leisure-time physical activity to support long-term health and work ability in the aging workforce.
References:
[1] Möhlmann, S., & Walter, G. (2022). BIBB/BAuA-Faktenblatt 43.
[2] Bull et al. (2020). Br J Sports Med. 54(24).