AIM: To establish whether workers with frequent leisure time physical activities are at higher or lower risk of sickness absence compared to inactive workers. METHOD: Self reported and company recorded sickness absence data were collected during 18 months of follow-up for 8902 workers. Frequency of leisure time physical activities was queried at baseline. RESULTS: Overall, we found that workers active in their leisure time twice or more each week reported significantly less sickness absence compared to inactive workers (14.8 versus 19.5 days/year), mainly due to a decrease in sick leave because of musculoskeletal disorders. CONCLUSION: Demotivating sports participation by making workers liable for workdays lost due to sporting injuries might be counter-productive in decreasing absenteeism and its related costs. Promoting worker participation in sport might lead to reduced absenteeism.
AIM: To establish whether workers with frequent leisure time physical activities are at higher or lower risk of sickness absence compared to inactive workers. METHOD: Self reported and company recorded sickness absence data were collected during 18 months of follow-up for 8902 workers. Frequency of leisure time physical activities was queried at baseline. RESULTS: Overall, we found that workers active in their leisure time twice or more each week reported significantly less sickness absence compared to inactive workers (14.8 versus 19.5 days/year), mainly due to a decrease in sick leave because of musculoskeletal disorders. CONCLUSION: Demotivating sports participation by making workers liable for workdays lost due to sporting injuries might be counter-productive in decreasing absenteeism and its related costs. Promoting worker participation in sport might lead to reduced absenteeism.
Authors: Jonathan Peake; Susan Gargett; Michael Waller; Ruth McLaughlin; Tegan Cosgrove; Gary Wittert; Peter Nasveld; Peter Warfe Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-06-19 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Tracy L Kolbe-Alexander; Chris Buckmaster; Craig Nossel; Liezel Dreyer; Fiona Bull; Timothy D Noakes; Estelle V Lambert Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2008-07-04 Impact factor: 3.295