Leisure-time physical activity and perceived occupational stress: a cross-sectional study of workers in Japan

Purpose We conducted a large cross-sectional study to investigate the relationship between leisure-time physical activity and perceived stress among workers in Japan. Methods 7192 workers in Japan were surveyed about their lifestyle habits, frequency of leisure-time physical activity (never, only specific seasons, once or twice a month, once a week, more than twice a week), and perceived occupational stress. According to the frequency of leisure-time physical activity, participants were classified into five groups. Logistic regression models were used to explore the relationship between leisure-time physical activity and perceived stress after adjustment for several confounding factors. Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the prevalence of perceived occupational stress were calculated. Results A total of 848 participants reported perceived occupational stress. Using the low leisure-time physical activity group (never) as reference, multivariable-adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were 0.79 (0.59-1.07) for "only specific seasons," 0.84 (0.66-1.08) for "once or twice a month," 0.80 (0.63-1.03) for "once a week," and 0.60 (0.46-0.79) for "more than twice a week" (p for trend 0 < 0.001). Conclusion In this large cross-sectional study, there was a negative association between leisure-time physical activity frequency and perceived occupational stress was observed among workers in Japan.