How active at work? : differing physical activity demands by occupation

To measure differences in work-related physical activity levels, 168 blue-collar and white-collar workers completed pedometer and self-report assessments of their physical activity during working hours. The results indicated that blue-collar men are significantly more likely to do more physical activity at work compared with white-collar men or women (by both measures). Mean daily step counts were 3,830, 4,707 and 9,268 for white-collar women, white-collar men and blue-collar men, respectively. According to the self-report assessment, 93% of blue-collar men undertook sufficient physical activity at work to receive health benefits, compared with 36% of white-collar men and 17% of white-collar women. This study suggests that work-related physical activity is an important, and often overlooked, contributor for many blue-collar workers in reaching recommended physical activity levels. Also, worksite health programs that address tobacco use or nutrition may be more appropriate for the blue-collar workforce.