Prospective associations between occupational physical activity level and sleep disturbances: a five-year follow-up study
Abstract Background Sleep disturbances are commonly reported in working populations. While research has identified various work-related risk factors for poor sleep, the relationship between prior occupational physical activity (OPA) and future sleep disturbances remains unclear. The study aimed to e...
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2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23684-2 |
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| author | Yun-Han Wang Chien-Fong Huang Li-Jung Chen Po-Wen Ku Emmanuel Stamatakis |
| author_facet | Yun-Han Wang Chien-Fong Huang Li-Jung Chen Po-Wen Ku Emmanuel Stamatakis |
| author_sort | Yun-Han Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Sleep disturbances are commonly reported in working populations. While research has identified various work-related risk factors for poor sleep, the relationship between prior occupational physical activity (OPA) and future sleep disturbances remains unclear. The study aimed to examine the prospective associations between OPA levels and sleep disturbances in adults. Methods We utilized longitudinal data from the MJ cohort study (1998 to 2022). The sample (N = 62528) consisted of adults aged 18 years or above. The mean age (in years) was 35.9 (SD = 9.5), and they were working full-time and reported no sleep disturbances at baseline. We examined the prospective associations between self-reported OPA levels (light, moderate, moderately heavy, and heavy) at baseline, and the presence of sleep disturbances at a mean follow-up time of 5.6 years (SD = 4.5). Cox proportional hazard models were conducted, adjusting for potential confounding variables. Results Using light OPA level as the reference group, individuals with moderately heavy OPA (HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.19, p < 0.001) and heavy OPA (HR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.34, p < 0.001) at baseline had a higher risk of sleep disturbances at follow-up. Stratified analyses showed that the association between higher levels of OPA and sleep disturbances remained across different subgroups. Notably, these associations were more pronounced among females (p interaction = 0.008), for moderately heavy OPA (HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.35, p < 0.001) and heavy OPA (HR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.91, p = 0.009). These associations were also more pronounced in certain occupational groups (p interaction = 0.003), where only heavy OPA was significantly associated with an elevated risk of sleep disturbances among civil servants (HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.55, p = 0.020) and office workers, professionals and technicians (HR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.05, p = 0.010). Conclusions Higher OPA levels were associated with an increased risk of sleep disturbances. Workplace support or interventions are in need to improve sleep patterns. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c5bbfbc221a34ad0a26039ae53216f42 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-c5bbfbc221a34ad0a26039ae53216f422025-08-20T03:06:39ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-07-0125111310.1186/s12889-025-23684-2Prospective associations between occupational physical activity level and sleep disturbances: a five-year follow-up studyYun-Han Wang0Chien-Fong Huang1Li-Jung Chen2Po-Wen Ku3Emmanuel Stamatakis4Graduate Institute of Sports and Health Management, National Chung Hsing UniversityGraduate Institute of Sports and Health Management, National Chung Hsing UniversityDepartment of Exercise Health Science, National Taiwan University of SportGraduate Institute of Sports and Health Management, National Chung Hsing UniversitySydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Charles Perkins Centre, University of SydneyAbstract Background Sleep disturbances are commonly reported in working populations. While research has identified various work-related risk factors for poor sleep, the relationship between prior occupational physical activity (OPA) and future sleep disturbances remains unclear. The study aimed to examine the prospective associations between OPA levels and sleep disturbances in adults. Methods We utilized longitudinal data from the MJ cohort study (1998 to 2022). The sample (N = 62528) consisted of adults aged 18 years or above. The mean age (in years) was 35.9 (SD = 9.5), and they were working full-time and reported no sleep disturbances at baseline. We examined the prospective associations between self-reported OPA levels (light, moderate, moderately heavy, and heavy) at baseline, and the presence of sleep disturbances at a mean follow-up time of 5.6 years (SD = 4.5). Cox proportional hazard models were conducted, adjusting for potential confounding variables. Results Using light OPA level as the reference group, individuals with moderately heavy OPA (HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.19, p < 0.001) and heavy OPA (HR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.34, p < 0.001) at baseline had a higher risk of sleep disturbances at follow-up. Stratified analyses showed that the association between higher levels of OPA and sleep disturbances remained across different subgroups. Notably, these associations were more pronounced among females (p interaction = 0.008), for moderately heavy OPA (HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.35, p < 0.001) and heavy OPA (HR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.91, p = 0.009). These associations were also more pronounced in certain occupational groups (p interaction = 0.003), where only heavy OPA was significantly associated with an elevated risk of sleep disturbances among civil servants (HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.55, p = 0.020) and office workers, professionals and technicians (HR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.05, p = 0.010). Conclusions Higher OPA levels were associated with an increased risk of sleep disturbances. Workplace support or interventions are in need to improve sleep patterns.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23684-2Sleep qualityInsomniaWork characteristicsWorking populationWork demands |
| spellingShingle | Yun-Han Wang Chien-Fong Huang Li-Jung Chen Po-Wen Ku Emmanuel Stamatakis Prospective associations between occupational physical activity level and sleep disturbances: a five-year follow-up study BMC Public Health Sleep quality Insomnia Work characteristics Working population Work demands |
| title | Prospective associations between occupational physical activity level and sleep disturbances: a five-year follow-up study |
| title_full | Prospective associations between occupational physical activity level and sleep disturbances: a five-year follow-up study |
| title_fullStr | Prospective associations between occupational physical activity level and sleep disturbances: a five-year follow-up study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prospective associations between occupational physical activity level and sleep disturbances: a five-year follow-up study |
| title_short | Prospective associations between occupational physical activity level and sleep disturbances: a five-year follow-up study |
| title_sort | prospective associations between occupational physical activity level and sleep disturbances a five year follow up study |
| topic | Sleep quality Insomnia Work characteristics Working population Work demands |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23684-2 |
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