Physical Performance at work and at Leisure

Abstract

This article examines the concurrent validity of a measure of use of biological energy. The measure consists of the individual's activity patterns at work and at leisure and is weighted by a factor associated with the expenditure of biological energy. The results obtained from 85 men who had been treated for Hodgkin's disease indicated that more sedentary activity patterns are positively correlated with scores on the Fatigue subscale of the Profile of Mood States (POMS), whereas more active patterns are positively correlated with scores on the POMS Vigor subscale, self-reports of energy level, and self-ratings of health status. In addition, consistent with biological research, perceived energy levels interact with activity patterns at leisure but not at work. Using this strategy to assess an individual's physical performance at work after the diagnosis and treatment of cancer may help practitioners in rehabilitation counseling.