Cross-Sectional Comparison of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Sleep in Shift and Nonshift Workers Using Wrist and Thigh Accelerometers.

Abstract

Investigate differences in device-measured physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep between shift and nonshift workers, focusing on variations during work and leisure periods. Full-time employed adult participants from Newcastle, Australia, wore thigh and wrist accelerometers for 14 days to assess activity and sleep. Activity was classified into sedentary, standing, light-intensity physical activity, and moderate to vigorous physical activity. Linear mixed models and compositional data analysis were used to assess behavioral time allocation. Forty-nine participants (shift = 33, nonshift = 16) completed the study. During work periods, shift workers were less sedentary (-79.40 minutes, P = 0.031) and engaged more in light-intensity physical activity (+39.95 minutes, P = 0.044), but were more sedentary during leisure (+93.59 minutes, P = 0.019). Distinct differences during work and leisure highlight the need for domain-specific analysis.