Bidirectional associations between emergency nurses’ occupational and leisure physical activity: An observational study

ABSTRACT

Emergency nursing is a physically demanding occupation yet research suggests they do not meet current physical activity guidelines. Current interventions have had limited effectiveness increasing nurses’ physical activity, possibly due to a failure to acknowledge physical activity in another domain (e.g., occupational). This study aimed to determine the bidirectional associations between emergency nurses’ occupational and leisure time activity levels on work days. Data from 49 emergency nurses (44 females and five males) wearing an ActiGraph accelerometer and completing work and sleep diaries for up to four weeks were analysed. An activPAL inclinometer was simultaneously worn by 41 nurses. Time spent in different activity levels and postural positions during work and leisure time were determined. Multi-level analyses examined bidirectional associations between emergency nurses’ activity levels at work and during their leisure time. Moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity prior to a morning shift was associated with more sedentary time and less physical activity at work. Conversely, occupational stepping time was associated with more sitting, standing and stepping time after each shift. These findings provide critical insights into how and when researchers should intervene to facilitate adequate recovery for nurses’ post-shift and balance competing demands on their leisure time.

KEYWORDS:

• Nursing
• emergency nursing
• physical activity
• occupational physical activity
• leisure time physical activity

Acknowledgments

The research team would like to acknowledge all the emergency nurses for their participation in the PACED study, and the nurse unit managers and nurse educators for their assistance during the study. We would also like to acknowledge Debra Berry for her assistance with recruitment and data collection across the study. Finally, we would like to acknowledge Joshua Dirisan and Elroy Lam for all their help during the study.

Disclosure statement

SEC, BA and NDR have no conflicts of interest to declare. JC holds a joint appointment between Deakin University and Eastern Health as Professor of Nursing. She is not responsible for the development or implementation of any occupational health and safety imperatives and has no line management responsibilities for any nurse employed at Eastern Health.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to the design of the research question. SEC conducted all data collection and wrote the article. SEC and NDR handled the data management and completed the analysis. BA, JC and NDR all critically reviewed and revised the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Deakin University [Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship]; National Heart Foundation of Australia [Future Leader Fellowship (Award ID 101895)].