Blue Collar Workers Physical Activity Study: Examining the Relationship between Occupation and Physical Activity

Abstract

Blue collar workers may suffer numerous health disparities, including lack of health education and low access to adequate health care. Blue collar workers are workers that perform manual labor, including electricians, housekeepers, and more. Studies have demonstrated that blue collar workers often are vulnerable to occupational hazards and resultant health strains due to their socioeconomic status and lack of access to adequate healthcare. Research links physical activity to a myriad of positive health outcomes, but there is limited evidence on the relationship between physical activity and physical, mental, and occupational health outcomes in blue collar workers. This cross-sectional study will examine that relationship in blue collar workers. Twenty-two blue collar workers (62% male; 76% Caucasian, 19% African-American, and 5% mixed descent; 33% aged 20-29, 24% aged 30-39, 24% aged 50-59) were recruited, with the inclusion criteria of being at least 18 years old and currently being an employed blue-collar worker with internet access. Using only the blue-collar working staff kept the sample size small and helped to identify occupational differences and experiences between other staffs. This study was completed via an online survey assessing the following measures: demographics, activities of daily living, stress levels, pain, occupational satisfaction, and more. To examine the relationship between physical activity and various health outcomes, statistical analysis was run using frequencies, standard deviations, and correlations. Slight relationships were found between physical activity measured by the IPAQ and physical, mental, or occupational health. These relationships include a positive relationship between walking and sleep quality (r=0.34), vigorous physical activity and social functioning (r=0.36), total physical activity levels and social functioning (r=0.25). Other relationships were found but were low.