Physical Activity and Work Ability in University Staff

NCT06723808 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: CEID/2024/3/061
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 876
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to explore the relationship between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and work ability in university staff, with a focus on occupational physical activity (OPA) and gender. The main question it aims to answer is: How does leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) influence work ability in university staff, considering their occupational physical activity (OPA) and gender? Participants from the University of Alcalá will complete an online survey, which includes sociodemographic data and validated questionnaires on LTPA, OPA, work ability, musculoskeletal disorders, health-related quality of life, and workload.

Conditions

Work Ability

Keywords

Physical Activity; Working Conditions; Recreational Activities; Sedentary Behavior; Gender Perspective

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Leisure-Time Physical Activity (LTPA)

  Leisure-time physical activity refers to any physical activity performed during free time, not related to work or mandatory responsibilities. This includes activities such as walking, jogging, cycling, sports, or any form of exercise done for enjoyment, health, or fitness outside of regular occupational or household duties. LTPA is measured through Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (World Health Organization, 2001) that assess the frequency, duration, and intensity of activities performed during leisure time. It is an important determinant of overall health and well-being, with potential impacts on physical fitness, mental health, and work ability.

  At the same time as the recruitment

• Occupational Physical Activity (OPA)

  Occupational physical activity refers to the physical activity performed as part of an individual's job or work-related tasks. This includes movements such as walking, lifting, carrying, standing, or any other physical effort required by the nature of the work. OPA varies depending on the type of occupation, ranging from sedentary jobs with minimal physical exertion to physically demanding jobs that involve heavy lifting or manual labor. OPA is going to be assessed through Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (World Health Organization, 2001). It is an important factor influencing overall physical health, musculoskeletal health, and work ability. Understanding OPA can help identify how job-related physical activity influences worker well-being and performance.

  At the same time as the recruitment

• Work Ability

  Work ability refers to an individual's capacity to perform their job tasks effectively, considering their physical and mental health, skills, and work demands. It reflects how well a person's health and functional capacity match the requirements of their work. Work ability is influenced by various factors, including physical fitness, mental well-being, work environment, and personal characteristics such as age and job experience. In this study, work ability will be measured using the Work Ability Index (WAI), a validated questionnaire developed by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. The WAI assesses work ability through a series of questions related to perceived health, job demands, and the impact of health on work performance.

  At the same time as the recruitment

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Work-Related and Daily Activity Injuries

  At the same time as the recruitment

• Physical and Mental Workload

  At the same time as the recruitment

• Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)

  At the same time as the recruitment

Other Outcomes (1)

• Sociodemographic Data

  At the same time as the recruitment

Study Arms (1)

University staff in the Autonomous Community of Madrid

This cohort consists of university staff from the University of Alcalá, including both men and women, with varying occupational physical activity (OPA) levels.

Other: Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Occupational Physical Activity

Interventions

Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Occupational Physical Activity OTHER

This study does not involve a specific intervention but explores the relationship between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and occupational physical activity (OPA) in university staff, with a focus on work ability, musculoskeletal disorders, and quality of life.

University staff in the Autonomous Community of Madrid

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study will include staff members from the University of Alcalá, specifically those belonging to the PDI (teaching and research staff) and PTGAS (administrative and service staff) categories. Participants will be selected from various departments within the university. The population will consist of employees who are able to understand Spanish and who meet the inclusion criteria for the study, focusing on those with a range of job roles and occupational demands. This diverse group allows for an examination of the relationship between physical activity, work ability, and other health-related variables across different occupational contexts within the university setting.

You may qualify if:

• University staff from different departments of the University of Alcalá who are able to understand Spanish.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with cognitive limitations that hinder their ability to comprehend information, respond to questionnaires, or consent to participation in the study.
• Individuals with neurological impairments or a diagnosis of severe mental illness.
• Individuals with uncontrolled cardiorespiratory diseases or diabetes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Alcala: lead

Study Sites (2)

University of Alcala

Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, 28801, Spain

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. University of Alcalá

Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, 28871, Spain

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

• Lorenzo-Gallego L, Munoz-Pastor S, Menendez-Calvo MR, Navarro-Brazalez B, Torres-Lacomba M. Understanding the Link Between Physical Activity and Work Ability in University Staff: Protocol for a Gender-Sensitive Cross-Sectional Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2025 Aug 28;14:e80298. doi: 10.2196/80298.

  PMID: 40875988 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity; Sedentary Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

• María Torres Lacomba, PhD, MSc, PT

  University of Alcala. Phsyiotherapy in women's health research group.

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Beatriz Navarro Brazález, PhD, MSc, PT

  University of Alcala. Phsyiotherapy in women's health research group.

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Laura Lorenzo Gallego, Physhiotherapist

CONTACT

+34 623 24 73 35; lauralorenzoga@gmail.com

María Torres Lacomba, PhD, MSc, PT

CONTACT

+34 918 85 48 28; maria.torres@uah.es

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: University Professor and Director of Physiotherapy in Women's Health Research Group

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 4, 2024
• First Posted: December 9, 2024
• Study Start: December 15, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2028
• Last Updated: March 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-11

Locations

ES (2)