The Physical Activity Health Paradox:

About this course

While leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is considered among the best investments for good health, work ability and longevity, high levels of occupational physical activity (OPA) increase risks for poor health, work productivity loss and premature mortality. These opposing effects of physical activity constitute the physical activity health paradox (PA paradox).

Even though work is the main domain of physical activity worldwide, occupational physical activity is barely mentioned in the current physical activity guidelines. The guidelines recommend physical activity, but do not distinguish between LTPA and OPA. This lack of differentiation and communication regarding the benefits and risks of physical activity at work and leisure can be challenging for particularly workers and workplaces with manual work. The current physical activity recommendations and respective one-size-fits-all interventions might not be beneficial for prevention of ill health and sick leave, health promotion, work productivity, quality of life and longevity for millions of people worldwide.

This course will facilitate a better understanding of the PA paradox, present the latest available evidence, give examples of preventive workplace interventions, and a dialog between researchers, practitioners and stakeholders on how to make better communication, recommendations and workplace interventions for better prevention and promotion among workers.

Please note!

We will do our utmost to arrange courses, even in these exceptional times.  We have the readiness to arrange courses with modified concepts, allowing smaller groups to meet, in some cases national groups, and the possibility to participate on-line. 

Our cancellation policy is generous, so it is safe to enroll to a course well in advance and cancel participation if the situation makes it difficult or risky to travel.

Course objectives

• Improve knowledge and understanding of the PA paradox and its scientific evidence base
• Encourage new approaches to measurements, and to risk and benefit assessments of physical activity for both researchers and practitioners
• Facilitate dialog on how to make better communication, recommendations and workplace interventions for better prevention and promotion
• Strengthen networks and support collaboration between researchers and practitioners

Main topics

• Scientific evidence for the PA paradox
• What we know and what we need to know
• Focus on physical activity at work, and how differentiates from leisure
• Understanding underlying mechanisms to the PA paradox
• Special worker populations at high risk
• Preventive workplace interventions for various occupational groups
• Measurements and analysis of physical activity at work and leisure
• Future research and workplace prevention practice of physical activity

Target groups

• Occupational and public health researchers with expertise or interest in OPA and health
• Practitioners with interest and background in physical activity and health as well as health promotion at the workplace
• Early career and senior researchers
• Occupational consultants
• OHS specialists
• Ergonomists
• Physical therapists
• Exercise physiologists
• Others interested in new preventive initiatives related to occupational physical activity

Subject background

Generally, physical activity (PA) is conceived as among the best investments for a long, healthy life, and is therefore widely encouraged for the general population. The evidence for beneficial health effects from PA is mostly limited to PA occurring during leisure time (LTPA). In contrast, emerging evidence has shown that high levels of occupational PA (OPA) increase the risk for adverse health outcomes and mortality, referred to as the “PA health paradox”.

Up to now, all PA public health guidelines do not distinguish between PA performed as recreation and sport at leisure time and PA performed for earning a living at work. Because most adults spend more than half of their time awake at work, and lower socioeconomic groups are predominantly physically active as part of their work, in-depth knowledge of the PA paradox is fundamental for understanding, prevention and health promotion among workers with high OPA.

For example, what should we recommend to workplaces, stakeholders, practitioners and workers in terms of physical exercises at work, duration of rest and recovery periods during and after work, PA and sitting for recovery at leisure time, and how to organize/design work so that OPA promotes instead of impairs health and fitness?

General course fee and cancellation information

The courses and workshops vary in price. Please note that the course fee does not cover meals or accommodation. The course fee and day-package fee are invoiced after the registration deadline.

Travel arrangements

Please refrain from booking any tickets until we have confirmed the course. The confirmation, which will be sent after the registration deadline, will include detailed information on the payment of the course fee and day-packages, as well as information on accommodation options and practical arrangements. Please note that you are not insured by NIVA.

Cancellation policy

Cancellations received by 4th of August 2021: full refund
Cancellations received by 5th of August 2021 or later: no refund

The total price of the course will be invoiced after the registration deadline.

The price is subject to minor changes.

Contact person

Course leader

Andreas Holtermann, Professor
National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Denmark
email: aho@nfa.dk

In practical matters, please contact:

Project Manager

Morten Jakobsen
NIVA
mobile: +358 40 126 3336
email: morten.jakobsen@niva.org